Review of Need You Now by Beth Wiseman

Book Description

When big-city life threatens the safety of one of their children, Brad and Darlene Henderson move with their three teenagers from Houston to the tiny town of Round Top, Texas.

Adjusting to small-town life is difficult for the kids, especially fifteen-year-old Grace who is coping in a dangerous way.

Married life hasn’t always been bliss, but their strong faith has carried Brad and Darlene through the difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the first time in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.

While working with special needs children at her new job, the widowed father of one of the students starts paying more attention to Darlene than is appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone is listening to her for the first time in a long time.

If Darlene ever needed God . . . it’s now.

Experience a family’s triumph over lies, betrayal, and loss while still clinging to the One who matters most.

This is the first book of Beth Wiseman’s that I have read.  I understand she writes very popular Amish fiction.  I thought this book was just okay.  I feel that the characters lacked a certain depth.  The only interesting character was the next door neighbor, Layla.  I probably would not recommend this book to others.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

 

Review of The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

I was already a fan of Rachel Hauck’s writing, having enjoyed the Lowcountry romances (Sweet Caroline, Love Starts with Elle, and Dining with Joy).  But I LOVED The Wedding Dress.  I could not put it down, and I read it in a day.  Rachel has a masterful way of intertwining the stories of four different women who wear the same wedding dress.  I love story lines that go back in time and describe what it was like for women to live in by gone eras with the different societal expectations and roles for women.

The word “redeemed” is used frequently in the story, reminding us of the redeeming love of Jesus.  Rachel Hauck uses the wedding dress as a symbol for the Gospel of Jesus-“it never wears out, it fits everyone who tries it on, it doesn’t need to be altered, and it’s always in style.”

I enjoyed this book immensely and would highly recommend it to others.

Review of Constantly Craving by Marilyn Meberg

When I read the title of Marilyn Meberg”s book, Constantly Craving, I was hoping it would help me with my constant craving for food when I wasn’t hungry.  Although that is not one of the topics covered in her book, I did enjoy Constantly Craving.

Marilyn talks about our different cravings: for excitement, romance, contentment, meaning, purpose, revenge, and heaven.  She discusses where some of these develop.  For example, our cravings for love are related to our early emotional experiences in our family. In her discussion about contentment, she states that it is “characterized by not wanting more than we have.” The biblical definition of contentment also involves being content even when we have less than what we ought.  Paul addressed the topic in Philippians 4:12 “I have learned the secret of being content in any situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” That is a difficult concept to internalize in a world that stresses instant gratification and attainment of material goods.

I think the bottom line for all of our cravings, desire for contentment, and homesickness is HIM.  God created a God-shaped space in us that can only be filled by Him- not things, people, places, homes, etc.  So when we are craving that something we think we need, we should turn to Him to fulfill us with prayer, the reading of His Word, and fellowship with other believers.  Ultimately, Marilyn says that “It is He and He alone who will totally eliminate all our cravings-but not until we’re home with Him in heaven. As long as we’re here on earth, we can only experience partial craving solutions.”  I am looking forward to going home!

I have seen Marilyn Meberg speak at a Women in Faith conference and enjoyed it very much.  Her book is similar to her speaking-very friendly and likable. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

When I read the title of Marilyn Meberg”s book, Constantly Craving, I was hoping it would help me with my constant craving for food when I wasn’t hungry.  Although that is not one of the topics covered in her book, I did enjoy Constantly Craving.

Marilyn talks about our different cravings: for excitement, romance, contentment, meaning, purpose, revenge, and heaven.  She discusses where some of these develop.  For example, our cravings for love are related to our early emotional experiences in our family. In her discussion about contentment, she states that it is “characterized by not wanting more than we have.” The biblical definition of contentment also involves being content even when we have less than what we ought.  Paul addressed the topic in Philippians 4:12 “I have learned the secret of being content in any situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” That is a difficult concept to internalize in a world that stresses instant gratification and attainment of material goods.

I think the bottom line for all of our cravings, desire for contentment, and homesickness is HIM.  God created a God-shaped space in us that can only be filled by Him- not things, people, places, homes, etc.  So when we are craving that something we think we need, we should turn to Him to fulfill us with prayer, the reading of His Word, and fellowship with other believers.  Ultimately, Marilyn says that “It is He and He alone who will totally eliminate all our cravings-but not until we’re home with Him in heaven. As long as we’re here on earth, we can only experience partial craving solutions.”  I am looking forward to going home!

I have seen Marilyn Meberg speak at a Women in Faith conference and enjoyed it very much.  Her book is similar to her speaking-very friendly and likable. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Review of The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

I have read several of Andy Andrews’ books and The Final Summit is my favorite by far.  I found the story line to be very interesting and I liked meeting all of the historical figures and learning new things about them. I found the premise that all of these people from different eras in time meet and discuss the problem to be very intriguing. 

Overall, I found The Final Summit to be very entertaining and I would recommend it to others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.