The Midwife's Choice Review

Read an excerpt or see author's bio here

This book was #2 in a series and I wish I'd read #1 because at first I thought the author just hadn't quite finished developing her characters for my picky preferences. Once I got into the story I couldn't put it down. It's a well-written book but it I was exhausted reading it. It seemed like there was a drama or crisis three times a day for this character. In spite of that I did enjoy the tale and immersed myself in it by the fire for two days straight. Some of the characters became very dear to me, but for some reason not the main character. I just didn't like her as well as I liked some of the other female characters.

This was a fast-paced dramatic book with a lot going on. You won't be bored, that's for sure.

* I received a free copy of this paperback from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased  written review.

About

Come Home to Friendship, Family, and Faith in the Town of Trinity
In a time when the traditional ways of medicine are constantly being questioned by new doctors fresh from medical school, midwife Martha Cade tries to balance her life's calling with the demands of her family. Recently reunited with her estranged seventeen-year-old daughter, Martha finds herself torn between guiding her child and allowing her to be an adult. At the same time, she must decide whether she'll risk reopening the heart she'd long closed off to love.

Though a small town, Trinity, Pennsylvania, is fraught with secrets, and as a midwife, Martha moves among its people. She knows which homes are filled with light and love, which families have slipped into grief, which wives are unhappy, and which husbands dare to cross lines...As Martha struggles with the conflicts of being a mother, a midwife, and a woman, she learns the greatest lessons of all--that hope can shine even in the darkest hours, and that faith has a way of making the impossible possible

The Pleasure of His Company

 

This is one of my new favorites!

This guy writes in a great conversational tone with humor at times. The book is full of inspiration, insight and I love that he's not afraid to go deep. Word studies on certain passages really open up meanings, and I love those!

This is the first book I've read by Dutch- don't you like that name? I hope it won't be the last. This one is well written. I know, I know, but that really matters to me.

The crux of the book is this- relationship and religion are not equal, not even in the same ballpark.

The Pleasure of His Company makes a great devotional. But, it's not light stuff, but meaty even though it's written in such a way that it doesn't seem "scholarly" - it actually is. I'm impressed. Get it for yourself and definitely get a copy for someone you care about. This is one of those "game changer" books.

About

Experience God's Presence in a Whole New WayThere's just something about people who are close to God. Through the ups and downs of life, they remain secure, hopeful. If you want a more rewarding spiritual life, if you want the pleasure of knowing your Creator's heart, this soul-lifting book is for you.

Learn from Dutch Sheets as he shares his life lessons for cultivating an intimate relationship with God. Each of the thirty short chapters reveals a simple practice or biblical mindset that will help draw you away from the noise of life and into the Lord's peaceful presence.

With profound insights from the Bible and stories you won't soon forget, The Pleasure of His Company is like a spiritual mentor, showing you simple ways to enjoy God more.

This powerful book can also be enjoyed as a daily devotional.

 

Return To Me

 

I haven't read Lynn Austin before. What have I been missing? I'll have to remedy that. Especially since she is so passionate about the Old Testament and bringing the scriptures to life by writing the truth skeleton with fictional flesh, so-to-speak; giving us the truth that the age old stories are real. The people were ordinary with an amazing God who was involved in their lives, just like He is today with us. I love the Old Testament!

Return to Me is the first of three books in “The Restoration Chronicles,” based on Ezra and Nehemiah. I have always loved reading Nehemiah, Kings and Chronicles, and she has covered those too in Gods and Kings. I'm going to have to get more of her books.

Return to Me is the story of God's unending love and finding God's grace in the days when we tend to think there was only the law and nothing more. This book will bring the time period when Cyrus, the Persian King decreed the Jewish exiles could and should return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple and the struggles for about 2 decades afterward. This is just after the 70 years of Babylonian captivity. The book clearly outlines the why and how. The book clearly outlines the why and how. It shows clearly the result of a pagan culture's effects on God's people and the pagans themselves. It explains well why God said what He said and what happened when Israel wouldn't listen.
 It's fiction, but the real events and some of the real people are all very biblical.

I loved this book. I will read more from this author after this.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review on my blog*

Sent

 

I was incredibly blessed to read and review this book. I was given a free copy by the publishers to review. (my own, unbiased opinion) I found it to be written well and in a great conversational style but initially it didn't pull me in. Once the story got to the mission field I was enthralled, however.

 

Hillary tells their family's story with honesty. You can watch the YouTube video or go to the publisher's  (Waterbrook Multnomah) author page and read the first chapter and watch the video above.

The publisher says:  Hilary and her family moved to Southeast Asia in the aftermath of a tsunami that destroyed villages, homes, businesses, and hundreds of thousands of lives. Today, the Alans continue to advance the work of Christ internationally in their involvement with a church in North Carolina as they prepare for another overseas assignment.

 

Sent was a book that allowed me to get the flavor of what it would be like to rid myself of my "stuff" and live in the present without distractions and hurry-up-and go lifestyle. Our American bondage is our stuff. It owns us and you and I know it.

 Hillary tells us how they left their substantial property in favor of obedience to God's call on their lives and how it was difficult but it was the best thing they ever did. Being broken and rebuilt is a gift. In the states they had it all, and found out they didn't really have anything worth having until they went to live in a 3rd world country after a devastating natural disaster. She shares about their adaptation to a strict muslim culture in which religion is an obligation, and seeing America with new eyes on their return. Cultural Christianity...so many of us recognize the futility and disgrace of it and yet we are surrounded by it and live it. Reading this book made me renew my intentions of being abnormal and intentional. The pull is hard maddening though, isn't it? Makes me wonder if it's possible to be living a missional life right here and right now and seeing it as foreign territory and not succumbing to the culture.

All in all it was a great read with a life-giving message and I think it will have impact. It impacted me anyway.  *U*

 

Hillary's BLOG

Please rank my review- it helps us both! Everyone who ranks will be automatically entered to win a free copy of the book by the publisher. If you are drawn they will contact you and make arrangements. I have nothing to do with that.

Firefly Island Review

 

Every summer I collect some good fiction to use as mental escape. I like to sit in the sun and read. Who doesn't? I just so happen to either enjoy my porch with little ones splashing in the kiddie pool on the lawn, or else in a lawnchair in the barnyard surrounded by my critters. Don't judge me.

 This book was given to me by Bethany House and Bakers Publishing for free in exchange for an unbiased review. So- anywho- I didn't get to wait for a lazy summer day- I got it in the mail on a blustery day recently. Just as well. Books are every bit as good for the soul on a day spent inside and cozy by the fire, right? I did just that today and even made scones and tea. The house quiet for a change, I used naptime as a chance to finish this book.

 

Romance, intrigue, dirty politics, relationships, insecurity, social issues...Lisa Wingate can write! I say this book is exactly what you need on a lazy day by the pool or lake (or the fire) with a glass of iced tea (or cocoa). The characters are realistic, the story was easy to get caught up in, and the writing was done well. It wasn't a book I'd savor over and over again, but it was a good solid escape read.

 

 

Outrageous

 

So, I recently finished a book that had my complete attention. By the time I finished the last page I was thinking to myself, "that was just like reading the New Testament stories from the book of Acts!"

 

Faith building for sure, inspiring and a book that will really make you rethink your soft life. It's seriously hair raising at times. The story of Tracy is odd and crazy and wonderful. Her friends are every bit as interesting. This book had not one hint of boring- not a bit of the too-common sappy stuff. It's hard-core, faith-in-action, fast-moving, and I still don't know if I want to be like Tracy or really grateful that God hasn't called me to that life.

 I'd say this is a definite must-read.

*I was given a copy of this book free for the purposes of an unbiased review by Chosen Books.

  www.bethanyhouse.com | www.chosenbooks.com

Christian Devotions Speak UP!

Would you like to listen in on part of my testimony? I'm the 2nd half of this program. Christian Devotions Speak UP! is a great program and I was honored and inspired when invited on.

Serpent of Moses Book Review

Did you like the Indiana Jones movies? Ya? Well then you'll like this book. It was a well-written, action packed read right from the first page. It took me into the world of archeology, Bible lands, dangerous places and people. I really enjoyed my vicarious travels to foreign lands, across miles of deserts and through tiny villages and seedy hotels.

The characters were great and Jack was so interesting I thought I'd like to have a long visit over coffee...somplace in Northern Africa of course.

Good book, I think you'll like it if you like adventure.

Click on the book for a link to buy this book.

*I was given a free copy by Bethany House in exchange for an unbiased review.

Here's the publisher's description:
A Fast-Paced Follow-up to the Bestselling Suspense Elisha's Bones! Just three years after the recovery of Elisha's bones, Dr. Jack Hawthorne has given up teaching and resumed the practice of archaeology, although his frequent absences have put a strain on his relationship with Esperanza. Things heat up when Esperanza receives a call from an antiquities dealer with troubling news about Jack, and her fears are confirmed. Jack has gone to Libya in search of another biblical artifact: the Nehushtan, the serpent staff of Moses. After Jack arrives in Libya, he soon discovers he isn't the only one searching for the Nehushtan. Later, in attempting to steal it, he finds himself in the hands of a man who just might be his match. Jack and his friends must stay one step ahead of the Libyan government, an overambitious member of the Vatican hierarchy, and an Egyptian assassin--if they stand any chance of staying alive long enough to recover the staff.