David Wilkerson

I have always been fascinated with New York City.  I didn't have opportunity to personally visit until I was around 40 years old but I went there in other ways--through books.  As a teen, there was a fiction young adult series in the church library, each about a teen drug addict in the city who through various paths turned his/her life around and gave their life to Christ.  I loved those stories of redemption and life in the city!

Probably no one has done more to transform New York City than David Wilkerson, author of The Cross and the Switchblade. David's son, Gary, shares the story of his father--a man whose faith and hard work, reaching out to the unlovable, helped change the streets of a drug filled, gang filled city by sharing the love of Christ. But David was human too and his life wasn't always something to write home about but he didn't give up.  He had struggles but trusted God.  What a lesson we could all learn!

I love that Gary didn't paint his father as perfect but shared with the readers his struggles.  God used him anyway just as He can use me given my limitations and shortcomings.  All the better to show God is the one at work rather than me, right?  The text is easy to read and can easily be completed in a day.  A must read for anyone who loved The Cross and the Switchblade or one who enjoys biographies.  Personally, I loved it!

When I saw this book available through the publisher for review, I ordered it immediately. Just three weeks ago, I passed Wilkerson's church in NYC and spoke with one of the members who invited me to visit next time we were in town.  Think I might just take him up on it and see for myself the impact Times Square Church is having on the city.  As mentioned, I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

The 13th Gift

For Joanne Huist Smith, the Christmas tune, The Twelve Days of Christmas, held the secret to happiness and she had attained that.  Then shortly before Christmas of 1999, her world was shattered when her husband died unexpectedly.  The rest of the world was preparing for Christmas day but Joanne struggled to get out of bed and be a mother to her three children.  The thoughts of celebrating Christmas was one of the last things on her mind.  How could she when her husband wasn't there to be part of the memories? 

Each family member was dealing with the loss in different ways. Her oldest, Ben, seems to have withdrawn from the family while daughter Megan has become the peace maker.  Middle child Nick is weary.  Then thirteen days before Christmas, a poinsettia appears on their doorstep with a note that it is from their true friends.  Threatening to just let it sit outside and freeze in order to help avoid the holiday altogether, Megan talks her Mom into bringing it inside.  Each day a different gift arrives and through them comes healing to the family as they try to discover the identity of the giver and how to celebrate Christmas and still honor the memory of their father/husband while making new memories of their own.

If you know me at all, it will come as no surprise why I chose this book.  It is a Christmas story of course! I loved the way the author spoke from her heart and walked us through her grieving process with honesty.  However, I would have preferred she left the language out of it.  I can't be convinced that anger/frustration/grief must lead to cursing.  Would I recommend this book?  Yes, with a disclosure. I loved the tradition her friends began and wish I had thought of it when my children were home to help pass it along. However, I think I might just start it myself.  A beginning?  Praying that God would show me who might need that kind of friendship and encouragement this Christmas season.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Charming children's story about Santa

It is so much easier to think about receiving than giving, isn't it?  Even as an adult, I wake up Christmas morning in anticipation of what is under the tree with my name on it, not just thinking about my children and the smiles on  their faces when they open a gift they have hoped for.  The same was true of Nick when his father takes him shopping for last minute Christmas gifts--at least until he overhears the department store Santa talking about the story of Saint Nicholas and how he came to be the icon we know today as Santa Claus.  Nick's heart is changed and he begins to focus more on the giving of gifts to his family and those in need.

I enjoyed the story of St. Nick and how his travels with his parents opened his eyes to the needs of others and even how his own tragedy brought about the giving man we know today.  I loved the illustrations which portray the setting of the story back in the "good old days". Being a Christian family who allowed Santa to be part of our Christmas family traditions, I appreciate that the authors have taken a Christian perspective on Santa, even to the point of him asking God about His will for his life.  I do think there will need to be some discussion with your children about one of Nick's friends who needs money for a dowry since that isn't a common practice today. Overall, I give this story four stars. Our family love Christmas stories and still share them together on Christmas Eve.  This one will be added to our collection for years to come.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

A new series by Judith Miller

The American Civil War has been over three years and much of life has returned to "normal" but for Laura Woodfield, life will never be the same.  Her father had such dreams for his West Virginia brickyard but those dreams weren't meant to be for he wasn't one of the lucky ones to return home at the war's end.  The time has come to sell the business and let go of her father's dreams, handing it over to two Irishmen, Hugh Crothers and his nephew Ewan McKay.  Determined to see the brickyard and the new owners successful, Laura and Ewan work together to make it so and it isn't long before there is a connection between Laura and Ewan even if lawyer Winston Hawkins has other plans for her. Making a few bad decisions may spell disaster for the business, ruining Ewan's chance to bring additional family member from Ireland and his opportunity for love.

Being a lover of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia who has their own brickyard, I loved the setting.  Once a part of Virginia, West Virginia has only recently become their own state in this novel and I can just see the brickyard having experienced it in Williamsburg, even if the technology has changed a bit from the 1774 portrayal in Williamsburg to the post Civil War here.  The characters are well developed, believable, both lovable and enough to make you angry at times (depending on the character). No surprise coming from Judith Miller since I have never read anything by her that I didn't enjoy.  The downside?  It is a series and this is only book 1 but The Brickmaker's Bride is a story in and of itself so can easily stand alone.  This makes book 2 just something to look forward to, right?

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to leave a positive one.  Two thumbs up for Judith Miller's Refined by Love new series!

Heartwarming Christmas stories

Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, and Sarah Sundin have combined their efforts to tell the story of the Turner family from Lafayette, Indiana during WWII.  Three siblings have decided their place during this turmoil and each have chosen differently.  One is stateside on the home front having recently lost her husband, another serves as a combat nurse in the Netherlands, and the last has experienced combat face to face, having returned home safely on leave but forever changed by what he experienced.   Each has seen their share of tragedy and heartache but the time for healing has arrived.  Will they be able to trust God with their fears and open their hearts to what He has in store?

If you didn't know there were three authors, you probably wouldn't pick that up.  The characters are the same, the town the same showing how well the authors collaborated. The authors have done an excellent job of weaving the family's story together making it cohesive and bringing the town of Lafayette into your own town.  I don't live far from Lafayette and have visited there so it is what first attracted me to the book--that and the fact that I love Christmas stories.  As with many books published today, this volume includes a Reader's Guide with discussion questions for book groups.  The unexpected is a few Christmas cookie recipes consisting of the character's favorites for a holiday cookie exchange as well as a chat with the authors giving the reader additional insight as to how the three novellas that read more like a cohesive novel came into being.

Three songs which became quite popular during the War, White Christmas, I'll Be Home for Christmas, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas have become the titles for the three interwoven stories. I will definitely read this book closer to the holidays curled up on the couch with the Christmas tree lights twinkling.  It is an excellent read for anyone who enjoys love stories set in the  mid 20th century and makes for a good reminder of those who won't be home for Christmas this year but who are fighting for freedom as well as the sacrifices soldiers have made for us historically and how their families sometimes made the ultimate sacrifice.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one. Two thumbs up!

Old story, new format

Andrew and Beth grew up together and don't remember life without the other.  Married right out of college, best friends, and starting with a common vision for life should make for a strong, happy marriage, right?  However, Andrew has become consumed with his work and Beth is convinced he has been unfaithful.  When a tragic accident occurs on Christmas Eve, Andrew begs God for the opportunity to make things right with his wife.  His request granted, Andrew has only three days to convince his wife that he loves her.   It may seem like a simple task but not necessarily so.

I loved the story.  It is a wonderful reminder that those we love won't be with us forever and that we need to take every opportunity to tell and show our family that we love them.  I was immediately pulled into the story and could picture Andrew and Beth and their apartment, even the little town they grew up in. Then I realized why.  I have seen the movie.  If it isn't the same story exactly, a Christmas movie from a few years ago mirrors this story to some of the smallest details.  While I will always choose the book version over a movie, rarely will I choose to read a book after watching the movie as I prefer to make the mental pictures myself rather than a producer doing it for me.  For this reason, I give Forever Christmas four stars. Who could give a Christmas story any less?  Again, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and story but it wasn't a new one for me. It is a pretty quick read.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to leave a positive one.

Teaching your little one about angels

God Gave Us Angels by Lisa Tawn Bergren is a sweet way to teach your child about angels and the role God gave them.  Little Cub opens the story up in a tree looking for angels which presents the opportunity for Papa to explain that they are in their midst but not necessarily visible.  Papa explains that angels were created to serve God in whatever way He pleases--carrying messages, guarding over us, fighting for us, worshipping--and that they can take the form of us so we need to be cautious how we treat everyone because it could be an angel in disguise.  For me, the  most important element of the book is when Little Cub asks if he will become an angel when he dies and Papa explains that he won't, that angels were created with the earth which dispels the common belief present in today's society that people become angels.

The illustrations are beautiful and the book a wonderful addition to the series which includes God Gave Us You, God Gave Us Two, and God Gave Us Heaven among others.  I did receive this book free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive review.