Saturday, October 29, 2016

"The Wish" - Beverly Lewis


amazon.com

Rating: 4 out of 5

Back Cover: Leona Speicher got the "sister" she always dreamed of the day Gloria Gingerich and her family move to Lancaster County.  The Arkansas newcomers seem to be the answer to Leona's prayers-until Gloria's father is expelled from their Old Order Amish church for reasons no once will discuss.  Much to Leona's dismay, the Gingeriches suddenly pack up and disappear.  Then, after a silence of several years, Gloria unexpectedly contacts Leona, who makes up her mind to go after her friend.  Yet Leona's fiancĂ©- the deacon's son-is alarmed.  Will Leona's dearest wish lead to her own undoing?

I would first say that I am drawn to the Amish lifestyle and love the writing of Beverly Lewis.  So when her new book was offered to read and review, I was excited to get my hands on it.  Even though, I enjoy books by Beverly Lewis, this was the first book that I had a hard time getting into despite my excitement to read.  It started off slow but once the story evolved, it picked up and I was eager to read to see how it finished.    I felt very drawn to the characters and became the outside friend of Gloria and Leona. 

A while ago, I started asking myself what can I get out of a book, once I am finished reading it.  After I finished this book, I asked that same question and I figured that I learned about friendships.  Gloria and Leona were best friends and connected to each other despite differences in their family and the way that they were raised. Even though both grew up in the Amish church, their family had different ways of living.  Both girls didn't allow their family differences to interfere with their friendship.  I thought about the friendships or lack there of in today's society.  I have noticed that when there is a difference in opinion, religion, color, race, etc, relationships and friendships are destroyed.  I have seen people end life long friendships over this election, and it saddens me. 
When Leona found out the real reason of Gloria's family leaving their church, Leona could have ended their friendship.  Even when she found out that they left the Amish faith and became "English", she could have ended their friendship.  But all in all, Leona prayed earnestly for her friend.  I thought about us as Christians, if we would pray for our friends how our relationships would change. 

Beverly Lewis has a way sharing the gospel without you feeling like you are being preached to.  I enjoyed this book despite that slow beginning and I would recommend this to anyone. 

I received this book from Bethany House publications solely for a honest review of the book.  This review is based solely on my honest opinion and was only compensated with a free copy of the book. 



Thursday, September 22, 2016

"Healing Waters" book review

Goodreads.com
"When life seems to conspire against you, how do you find the courage to dive into Healing Waters?".  This quote was what drew me into reading this book.  I guess you can say that was a great one liner! ☺ 

Back Cover Intro:
When Lucia Coffey looks at her reflection, she sees fat and failure.  When she looks at her sister Sonia, she sees svelte and success.  When she looks at God, she sees that divine love can't possibly be doled out equally.  All her life, Lucia has coped by throwing herself into taking care of those who seem more worthy of God's goods, and feeding the dreams she has buried alive. 
But when tragedy strikes Lucia's family, she meets Sullivan Crisp, a decidedly offbeat psychologist who is trying to cope with his own shattered past.  They form an alliance to try to hold her family together and, in the process, both tentatively dip their toes into the waters of healing.  Step by faltering step they wade in, forging an unlikely community and digging deep for the courage to face a lurking danger that could pull them under..... or remind them what it's like to dance on the waves.

I enjoyed reading this book, since I felt like the main character, Lucia at one time.  Low self esteem, lack of self confidence, and often second guessing the power that God possess.  I think many women may have felt similar to this at one point in their lives. Lucia, in the story surrounds herself around positive people who helps her on her journey toward healing. I have learned first hand how those who we keep around can  affect our well being. This could be a spouse, family member, friends, coworkers, etc. Despite what Lucia feels about her past and her  present situation in the story, she finds out there is hope for her future. 

If you are struggling with your own demons, which everyone is, this is a great read to help bring peace, hope, and a breath of fresh air.  This book is a Christian novel and the author includes biblical scripture within the story, but again if you are not a Christian or you don't consider yourself as a religious person, you will still enjoy this story despite the Christian under tones. 



This review was based solely my opinion.  I was not compensated at anytime for this review.





Tuesday, September 13, 2016

#READINGneedsreading







When I created this hashtag, I never knew where it would take me.  This summer, I decided to venture out into my small bookstore business, and this hashtag was push to keep this business going.

During the summer, my time was devoted to networking, working this business, and taking this business out into my local farmer's market.  When I would set up my stand at the market, I would write in chalk all around the market my hashtag, #READINGneedsreading. 

Many people questioned me, the meaning and what it said.  I reminded them that our city needs to read. 

My heart has been to bring back the joy of reading back into our society, especially the city that I live in.  I live in the city that was named at one time the poorest city of the U.S., one that is poverty stricken, one where many would call it a place where there isn't any hope.  With all the negativity that may come from this city, I want to bring some positive changes even though, to me it may be small. 

The benefits of reading that many people have forgotten are learning new ideas, relaxing, broadening horizons and learning about places that many may not be able to visit.  With the increase of literate people, there will be an increase in moralty.  Understanding and learning about others will come while reading books. 

I am determined to bring back the joy of reading, even if I impact just one person.  Reading is my passion and my God's given gift.  If there is anything that I can do to inspire you, that would be to buy a book, find a book, go to your local library, and read!






Friday, June 10, 2016

Beverly Lewis "The Atonement" book review

Amazon.com
Our past sins or choices often haunt our present, which affects our relationships with others and our daily life.  Beverly Lewis' character, Lucy Flaud understands this very well. 

Lucy has made some unwise choices in her past, which affected her and her family.  She loses the trust of her family, the inability to love, and lost faith in God.  Within the story, Lucy befriends several people who help shape and restore her faith and bring her to repentance. 

We all have made some bad or unwise choices in our past.  Those same choices that we made still affect us to this very day.  They affect how we live, how we love, who we are around, and our relationships, especially with God.  We must understand that "our burdens are too heavy to carry, and he alone is faithful to cover our sins". 

This book was a great read, not only for enjoyment, but to help guide you toward your true repentance of sins that are holding you hostage.  This is a Christian book and applies some Amish beliefs.  Regardless being an Amish book, anyone who is struggling with anything will be convicted to repent and will bring upon you a peace that you will not be to describe.


This review is based solely on my opinion.  I received this book from Bethany Books to read and give my honest review.  If you are an author, writer, publisher, or editor looking for an honest review, please contact me at jbjari123@yahoo.com.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

"Out of Sorts" Sarah Bessey




Sarahbessey.com
 
Rate: ♥ ♥ ♥ / ♥♥♥♥♥
            3 1/2 out of 5 hearts

   Out of Sorts - a state of being in one's heart, mind, or body.  (describes sense of self, things to figure out, and / or coping with change)

Sarah Bessey best explains in her book, "Out of Sorts", how to gain peace in our faith.  This book of course is a Christian or religious book, so the topics that are covered in the book relate to the Christian life. 

I really enjoyed reading this book.  Bessey blends her life stories with biblical scripture to share her thoughts on sorting out our lives.  Bessey states, "Whether its in our relationship with God, or with our own families, at some point we find that it is time to sort."  Sarah uses the analogy of a rummage sale and our faith.  We as Christians, especially women, have so much baggage and stuff that we hold on to despite any real use and despite any negative memories or feelings that are attached with it.  With all the "stuff" that we have, we must come to realize that we need to sort out our lives. The things that we hold on to that has no real meaning, we must throw it out.

The book has many topics that we must sort out in order to gain peace, that include: our faith, our church, our relationships, and ourselves.  We as people and Christians are a hot mess.  We struggle daily (some hourly) with sin.  With the being said, we require a Savior who can pull us out of our mess and help clean it up. 

Sarah Bessey's writing is theology based.  She uses Biblical scripture to back up her points, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! Many Christian writers lack biblical insight. 

Her love for God, people, her family, church, and of course the Charismatic denomination, drawn me to read her book.  She is not that Christian writer that uses big words, stuck up, or holier than thou.  She but is a writer who is full of grace, truth, and her readers can relate to her.  She writes the things that we think but to afraid to speak on. 

If you are looking for a great book for group studies, there are discussions questions included.  If you are not, but just looking for a book with truth, please check this book out.   I would recommend this book to anyone and I am looking forward to reading anymore of her books as well.


This review is based solely on my opinion.  I didn't receive any monetary reimbursement, books, or any other products for this review.  If you are an author, writer, publisher, or editor looking for an honest review, please contact me at jbjari123@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

For the Love -Jen Hatmaker


 
From amazon.com
 
I have received this book as a gift from a raffle drawing during the IF Gathering 2016 that was held at my church.  If you don't know what IF is all about, check it out here
 
First I would like to say that I would recommend this book to anyone.  Christians, non Christians, the young, the old, mothers, wives, etc.  Anyone and everyone should read this book.  Jen Hatmaker's writing includes humor, truth, sarcasm, and honesty.  I mean, in one of her Thank you chapters, she pays homage to spanx.  If that is not honesty, I don't know what is!! (I will not disclose if I wear spanx or not but I guess you will never know :) ) 
 
In the book, "For the Love", Jen includes topics on women, moms, wives, also on friends, enemies, the church, the unchurch, and God.  She applies our everyday life to biblical scriptures, which is important.  Jen reminds us that "we have a free life in Christ" and that we should often remove those things that suck us dry.  She reminds us that social media at times can provide a false positive and we try to reach this impossible perfection that many portray on social media. 
During these current trying times, where we are faced with unloving, hostile people, Jen points out that "thorny people or thorny for a reason" and that we should handle those with grace.  Just as God has shown us his grace. Yes, we at times can be thorny, especially toward the ones we love or even to God.  We as Christians or I as a Christian will be surrounded by hostile people who will need to see our love or God's love. 
 
If you need a book that will have you laughing and thinking at the same time, this is the book.
 
"Love God, Love people
Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly,
treat people as you want to be treated,
If you want to be great, be a servant."
Jen Hatmaker
 
 
 
This review is solely based on my own opinion. I was not compensated for this review in anyway. 
 
 
 
 


Wednesday, January 20, 2016

To Read List



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This are a few books on the to read list.  They are not in any specific order. I am looking forward to read these books and once I am finished I will be posting reviews.  I created a reading goal through Goodreads and I have challenged myself to read 12 books this year.  That means I will be reading atleast 1 book a month, and I am already behind.  I need to read and finish 1 book within 2 weeks.  Log on to Goodreads, upload books, challenge yourself to read some books this year.
 
 

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Blog Clean up

 
 
You ever just sit and say, "I need to have a cleaning spree"?  Well, I had that idea this past weekend, and did some cleaning and purging. I cleaned my attic and purged a lot of items.  I am getting some items together to either give away, sale, or send to the local goodwill.  
 
Since I decided to clean around my house, I decided to clean up my life a little bit.  I decided to look at my planner, clean up and organize my schedule and priorities.  This blog was on the list to clean up.  I was going back and forth on the idea of deleting this blog, evaluating the content, or just leaving it go by the wayside.  
 
Sunday at church one of the ladies that I adore talking and praying with affirmed to me what I believe I need to focus on.  She explained to me that I have a love for books and reading.  This love is a gift from God and that I should use this gift to help and minister to others.  
 
This had me thinking about a lot.  I decided to devote my "ministry" to reading and books. This blog could be a ministry and help others. I enjoy sharing different content with others, but I feel as though I am sharing "fluff".  So this blog would include many book reviews, to read list, and other topics that include to reading and books.  I will share some personal posts, but not many.  I am hoping that now I have my blog content ideas together and this blog will not go idle and someone will be blessed by the posts!!