Musings By Lynn

What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days - Book Review by Holley Gerth

2014-10-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

Once again, Holley brings us a book for the hard days we all face, truths to hold onto, filled with short devotional articles. Holley brings us 52 encouraging truths.

Each chapter begins with a scripture, which Holley explains and makes personal. Following that, she includes a prayer and a space to write down what He is saying to us.

Excerpt from the back cover: Holley Gerth is a bestselling writer, certified life coach, and speaker. She loves connecting with the hearts of women through her popular blog and books. She is also cofounder of (in)courage and a partner with Dayspring. Learn more at www.holleygerth.com.

This book is published by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Thanks to Graf-Martin for providing a copy for review.

FOR SUCH A TIME by KATE BRESLIN - BOOK REVIEW

2014-05-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

For Such A Time is the masterful retelling of the biblical account of Esther, set in Czechoslovakia in 1944. Because of her facial features, Jewess Hadassah Benjamin is able to pass for German Stella Muller.

She feels abandoned by God when saved from the firing squad and is handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric on Schmidt at the transit camp, she is able to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. In order to maintain her identity as Aric's secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people were sent to an extermination camp,

Suspecting her employer is hiding something, Stella cautiously appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. His compassion gives her hope, while at the same she battles a growing attraction for the man she knows she should despise as her enemy.

Stella pours herself into her efforts to keep even some of the camp's prisioners safe, risking the revelation of her true identity. When her bravery brings her to the point of ultimate sacrifice, she has only her faith to lean on. Perhaps God has placed her there for such a time as this.

This is a well-crafted story. Full of intrigue and action, this book kept me turning the pages and seeing the story unfold. As one gripped by details, I was interested to note the research that has obviously gone into the writing. The author includes both a German and Jewish glossary, as well as discussion questions.

This is the first book by Kate Breslin, and I look forward to many more. To learn more about the author, go to www.katebreslin.com.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from BakerBooks, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Musings By Lynn: BOOK REVIEW - THE A-Z OF C.S. LEWIS by Colin Durie...

2014-03-14T04:39:00.001-07:00

Musings By Lynn: BOOK REVIEW - THE A-Z OF C.S. LEWIS by Colin Durie...: This is an encyclopedia of his life, thought and writings. What a great introduction to everything Lewis, from his life, family, friends, ca...

YOU'RE GOING to BE OKAY by HOLLEY GERTH - Book Review

2014-03-06T16:09:00.002-08:00

Subtitled Encouraging Truth Your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on the Hard Days, this is a book filled with hope. It is not a quick read, but should be read slowly and thoughtfully. Holley reminds us that what happens to us is not who we really are. Defeat is not our destiny. We are overcomers.

Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God. We are made for a Promised Land. We aren't meant to settle, but to dwell.
The book is full of thought-provoking questions.
There is so much that our hearts tend to forget, so it is important to keep coming back to the truth of scripture.

The book contains a section which Holley calls the Go Deeper Guide, containing questions suitable for individual or group study. The book is published by Revell and is available wherever you purchase books, or through Amazon.com.
I received a copy of the book from Graf-Martin Communications for review purposes.

About the Author:

Holley Gerth is a bestselling writer, certified life coach and speaker. She loves connecting with the hearts of women through her popular blog and books. Check out her website at www.holleygerth.com

BOOK REVIEW - THE A-Z OF C.S. LEWIS by Colin Duriez

2014-02-26T07:37:00.003-08:00

This is an encyclopedia of his life, thought and writings. What a great introduction to everything Lewis, from his life, family, friends, career, marriage, and to the worlds he created, the creatures he imagined, and the studies he delighted in.

This is a comprehensive reference, including both the more familiar stories and apologetics, to his more obscure and lesser known writings.

This is not a book to be read cover to cover, but to be picked up to read many interesting tidbits of the life and work of the man who was C.S. Lewis.

As I flipped through the pages of this book, I found myself stopping to read many of the entries, and found it fascinating.

I recommend this book be included in everyone's library, whether a lover of Lewis or one newly come to his writings. When we were in England a number of years ago, we had the privilege of a private tour of Oxford and vicinity, escorted by Lewis' boyhood, Douglas Gresham. We saw many places referred to by Jack (nick name of Clive Staples Lewis). It was memorable.

About the author: Colin Duriez is a recognized expert on C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, and the other members of the Inklings. He both lectures and contributes to conferences and documentaries on them, as well as being the author of the popular biographies C.S. Lewis: A biography of friendship and J.R.R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend.

Book is published by Lion Hudson (www.lionhudson.com)

I received a copy of the book for review purposes from the Litfuse Publicity Group.

The book may be purchased wherever fine books are sold.

BOOK REVIEW - "THE STORM INSIDE" by SHEILA WALSH

2014-02-11T15:02:00.002-08:00

Sheila's newest book speaks from her heart, combining personal experience with accounts of biblical women. She addresses common issues with her warm and unique perspective. No matter where we are or where we've been, we can learn many lessons from the storms of life.

Sheila is on facebook, Twitter and other social media, and you can read her blog at www.sheilawalsh.com.

The book is published by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

BOOK REVIEW - THE STORM INSIDE by SHEILA WALSH

2014-02-11T14:49:00.000-08:00

........sheila's

BOOK REVIEW - "tHE STORM INSIDE by SHEILA WALSH

2014-02-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

BOOK REVIEW - "THE STORM INSIDE BY SHEILA WALSH

2014-02-11T11:27:00.000-08:00

THE STORM INSIDE: - SHEILA WALSH BOOK REVIEW

2014-02-10T15:11:00.001-08:00

BOOK REVIEW - THE DANCING MASTER by Julie Klassen.

2014-01-24T09:42:00.000-08:00

Julie has done it again! This tightly-written novel with well-developed characters is set in Regency England in the village of Beaworthy, Devonshire. It is filled with intrigue, romance and yes, secrets.

Lady Amelia Midwinter, has a dislike for dancing, and has forbidden it in her village. Alec Valcourt and family leave London and move to Beaworthy. Alec has a secret, and refuses to discuss his past. Alec is a dancing master. Julia Midwinter, Lady Amelia's daughter, is attracted to Alec, and she to her.
Can Alec and Julia get to the bottom of all the secrecy? Can happiness be brought back to the village, and can Lady Amelia's broken heart be restored?

Lovers of the Regency era will love this book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com

More Info

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Author-Julie-Klassen/102060596587055?fref=ts
Website: http://www.julieklassen.com

Can Alec and Julia get to the bottom of all the secrecy? Can happiness be brought back to the village, and can Lady Amelia's broken heart be restored?

Lovers of the Regency era will love this book.
A free book for review purposes was received from Litfuse. It was published by Bethany House.

Meditation on Psalm 100

2014-01-09T07:44:00.001-08:00

"Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation, (Psalm 100 - The New Living Translation)

This psalm focuses on the worship of our awesome God.

HOW are we to worship? With gladness and joyful singing. Worship is the expression of joy from a heart overwhelmed with gratitude.

WHY are we to worship? We acknowledge who He is, our Creator. We are His dearly loved possession. As the Psalmist says, we are the sheep of His pasture. We are to come into His presence with thanksgiving and praise, thanking Him for all He has done, praising Him for who He is. The LORD is good! His faithfulness and unfailing love continues forever, from one generation to another.

Let us enter His presence every day with joyful, heartfelt gratitude. He alone is worthy.

2013-12-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

Are You Ready For Christmas?

2013-12-07T06:56:00.001-08:00

Christmas is the talk of the town these days. People are wishing each other a merry Christmas. What is meant by a merry Christmas anyway? Does it simply refer to having the tree up, the house decorated inside and out, lots of partying, baking special Christmas treats, shopping for those perfect, gifts, which are sure to please the recipients?

Are you ready for Christmas? This season, we celebrate the birth of our Saviour. Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season. Much more important than all other preparations, we need to ask ourselves if we have truly prepared our hearts for the birthday of our Saviour. Let us set aside time every day to read and meditate on Scripture, and to worship Him with our hearts and our songs of praise.

Christmas is a season of love. God loved us and sent His Son to dwell (tabernacle) among us. He reveals the heart of God the Father to us. It is also a season of peace. We will not experience lasting peace in this world, but will experience it fully when Jesus returns. In the meantime, we can have peace with God through Jesus. Christmas is a season of joy, because of the birth of our Saviour.

Christmas is a season of worship. There are so many reasons to worship Him. As the well-known carol says, "O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord".

I remember a young Brazilian girl asking me why there are so many parties. My reply was that it was Jesus' birthday. And she replied "Then where is He?" That is a good question, Divanilda. He deserves to be the focus of our Christmas, as well as of our daily lives

May Jesus receive the praise of your heart always.

SINGULARITY BY STEVEN JAMES - Book Review

2013-11-26T07:00:00.002-08:00

Singularity is the second book in the new Jevin Banks series by Steven James.

"When his friend is murdered, illusionist Jevin Banks is determined to find out what really happened. Drawn deep into a web of conspiracy and top-secret research on human consciousness, Jevin won't stop digging until the truth is revealed. Soon he uncovers a dark secret that could change the very fabric - and future - of human life on the planet." (Taken from back cover)

Steven James has done it again. He has tautly written another riveting, suspense-filled novel that will leave you pondering till the end and beyond. I love the short chapters which, along with a great story, make this book a 'page-turner'.

Those readers who love a well-written thriller will not be disappointed. This book will leave you wishing for the next Jevin Banks book. Well done, Steven.

Steven James is the critically acclaimed author of more than thirty books, including Placebo and the Patrick Bowers series. He lives in Tennessee with his wife and three daughters. Contact Steven on facebook at sjamesauthor.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Listening To His Voice.

2013-11-22T10:53:00.000-08:00

MY SHEEP LISTEN FOR MY VOICE

2013-11-12T05:42:00.002-08:00

Winter Beauty

I must admit, winter is not my favourite season. Dark, dreary days settle in, and winter seems to go on and on. I long for the first signs of Spring: flowers showing their heads above ground, the return of brighter weather.

I don't like the cold, the snow, the uncertainty of travel plans...I never liked winter as a child either.

I don't go outside unless absolutely necessary. It seems I cannot get warm enough in spite of layering. While others are enjoying winter sports, I am content to stay inside curled up with a good book.

This year, I have made a decision to change how I view winter. I will look for the beauty all around me.God made the four seasons, and I am choosing to enjoy His gifts with a thankful heart.

Brazil, near the Equator. I used to say we had two seasons, rainy and rainier. How good it was to have the changing seasons. From the bottom of my grateful heart, I am thankful for the variety of all God's works. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:6)

2013-10-26T10:56:00.004-07:00

I am starting a new blog post, Lynn's Books and Blogs. It will chronicle my writing journey. my new book, ENCOUNTERING THE GOD OF WHOLENESS, tells of my healing journey. In it I share the importance of wholeness of body, soul and spirit.

This isn't a human story; it is a God story. It never leaves any doubt that God has our wholeness in mind. The book has an emphasis on progress even after the day of healing. It takes Gods out of the past and makes it a moment-by-moment reality.

Today's miracle stories often promote a person or a powerful event. What sets this miracle story apart? It promotes the God of scripture from first to last. Excerpted from endorsement by Rev. Ian Havercroft.

2013-10-26T09:57:00.001-07:00

The Courier of Caswell Hall by Melanie Dobson - Book Review

2013-10-05T07:12:00.001-07:00

About the book: An unlikely spy discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

As the British and Continental armies wage war in 1781, the daughter of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner feels conflict raging in her own heart. Lydia Caswell comes from a family of staunch Loyalists, but she cares only about peace. Her friend Sarah Hammond, however, longs to join the fight. Both women's families have already been divided by a costly war that sets father against son and neighbor against neighbor; a war that makes it impossible to guess who can be trusted.

One snowy night Lydia discovers a wounded man on the riverbank near Caswell Hall, and her decision to save him will change her life. Nathan introduces her to a secret network of spies, couriers, disguises, and coded messages---a network that may be the Patriots' only hope for winning the war. When British officers take over Caswell Hall and wreak havoc on neighboring plantations, Lydia will have to choose between loyalty and freedom; between her family's protection and her own heart's desires.

As both armies gather near Williamsburg for a pivotal battle, both Lydia and Sarah must decide how high a price they are willing to pay to help the men they love.

Part of the American Tapestries™ series: Each standalone novel in this line sets a heart-stirring love story against the backdrop of an epic moment in American history. This is the fifth book in the series.

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/1aLxC9s

My review: I loved this book. The story grabbed me and held me to the end. Melanie makes the Revolutionary War come through her vivid characterization. Although a work of fiction, events could had happened just as described. The book is full of romance, intrigue, suspense and more. There is tension which divided families. They were divided in support of the Crown or their own country. Two friends have to decide and love.

I highly recommend this book. Well done, Melanie.
Read more about Melanie at MelanieDobson.com.
I received a copy of the book in return of an honest review.

The Courier of Caswell Hall by Melanie Dobson - Book Review

2013-10-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

The Courier of Caswell Hall by Melanie Dobson - Book Review

2013-10-05T06:19:00.000-07:00

Melanie Dobson's latest release, The Courier of Caswell Hall, is a riveting story you won't want to miss. The newest offering in the American Tapestries™ series, it follows an unlikely spy who discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!

Five winners will receive:

The Courier of Caswell Hall by Melanie Dobson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 5th. All winners will be announced October 7th at the Litfuse blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 7th to see if you won one of the books!

Darkness Before Dawn by Ace Collins - Book Review

2013-04-30T13:16:00.002-07:00

Darkness Before Dawn

From back cover:

On the same night she discovers she is pregnant, twenty-eight-year-old nurse Meg Richards's husband is killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken tee. James Thomas comes from one of the most influential families in the community. He's a star athlete and glamour boy at the local high school. But the accident he caused will change his life-and Meg's future-forever.

Angered by her senseless loss and facing life as a single mother, Meg blames God for what has happened and considers a decision that could change her life even further. Enraged by the brutle trial and the court's decision, Meg starts down a frightening path of retribution. When the opportunity for revenge comes unexpectly, will Meg follow through? Or will the remnants of her faith lead her in a different direction?

My Review:

This is a powerful story which begins with tragedy and loss. Ace Collins describes his characters' emotions so well, bringing them to life on the page. What is a work of fiction could well describe real-life situations. In the the beginning, there was so much darkness, I eagerly awaited the coming of dawn.

The story made me wonder how I would react in a similar situation, and helped we to see some appropriate responses to those who are grieving.

I love how Ace kept the chapters short. This kept me flipping pages. Ace is a masterful storyteller. Keep up the good work, Ace. I look forward to your next book.

Ace Collins is the writer of more than sixty books, including several bestsellers: Stories behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, Stories behind the Great Traditions of Christmas, The Cathedrals, and Lassie: A Dog's Life. Based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, He continues to publish several new titles each year, including a series of novels, the first of which is Farraday Road. Ace has appeared on scores of television shows, including CBS This Morning, NBC Nightly News, CNN, Good Morning America, MSNBC, and Entertainment Tonight.

This book is published by Abingdon Press, and is available through Amazon.com and other bookstores. A copy for review purposes was provided by the Litfuse Publishing Group.

Darkness Before Dawn by Ace Collins - Book Review

2013-04-30T11:59:00.002-07:00

Taylor's Gift by Todd and Tara Storch - Book Review

2013-04-19T14:14:00.000-07:00

This true story is told by the parents of Taylor Storch.

It was the last run of their first day on the slopes, the beginning of another great family vacation for Todd and Tara Storch and their three children. But when thirteen year old Taylor's life was tragically cut short in a skiing accident, the Storches were overcome by the dvvastating loss of their daughter. Still in shock, they were asked a question no parents ever think they will hear: "Would you be willing to donate Taylor's organs?"

Their answer would change their family's lives forever and provide comfort during their darkest moments. It would also save the lives anxiously awaiting a heart, a liver, a cornea, a pancreas, and a kidney.

This is a story of finding strength in God and creating good even in the darkest times. It's a story of hope.

- taken from back cover

My review:

This is a heart-wrenching story that will touch you deeply and not let go. Taylor's parents share their struggles in coming to terms with the death of their daughter. They show how differently people grieve. As they deal with their own emotions, they must still parent Taylor's brother and sister, as well as support her friends. Work must continue. How would they make sense of all of this?

The Taylor's Gift Foundation was set up to help families who have been touched by organ donation. Its mission is to increase organ donation to regift life, renew health, and restore families

Taylor's Gift puts faces to those affected by organ donation. I feel that this book will cause many to think what they would do if they were in the Storches place.

I recommend this book if you if you are open to being challenged to make a difference in your world.

www.TaylorsGift,org

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".