$10 Great Dates by Peter & Heather Larson & David & Claudia Arp

I have to say I am disappointed in this book. I thought it would give me some great ideas on things I could do on date night with my husband, things that wouldn't cost a whole lot. Having said that...there was only one good thing that came from my reading this book. One of the suggestions is actually something my husband and I used to do and have loved...and since I received this reminder we will be doing it again. Otherwise. I really didn't get anything out of it. I am sorry to have to write this review. I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from the www.bethanyhouse.com book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

When We Were on Fire by Addie Zierman

I was in awe as I began to read this book. It could have been one of my own children writing it! I say this due to how the author was raised in an Evangelical background and all the things she did. All the things my own children did! So let's just say that I could relate to it. It was good for me to take a look back at all of this through her eyes and to see things in a new perspective. It also made me think of how I was raised as a Catholic before the Lord drew me out of there and into a newly planted Evangelical church. It was a good beginning of learning to be in the Word and to witness to others...to evangelize. I am so glad to have had these teachings! It was also a great place for our children to be with other believers and to thrive in such an environment. I was saddened then when, due to certain circumstances within this church...we had to leave. I was in deep mourning when it happened until the Lord told me that He would continue teaching me no matter where it was we went! That was such a relief!It is so good to look back in your walk with the Lord and see how far you've come and how much of it has been THE LORD's doings! Funny how you find out later it was all HIM! I don't want to go into all the details of this book as don't want to spoil it for you...the reader. But will say I do recommend this book to you! It will take you on a journey to your past especially if you had been or are an Evangelical Christian and will encourage you for how far you have come and for where the Lord is currently taking you! Be encouraged and stay strong in the Lord!!! I received this book for free from Convergent Publishing through the www.bloggingforbooks.org book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

The Sheep Walker's Daughter by Sydney Avey

I usually do not read fiction titles but this one caught my eye and so I chose it to read. I am so glad that I did! This was one of those "you just can't put it down" sort of reads for me. I had a hard time not going to bed extremely early (which is my reading time) so I could be reading this book! This author really has a gift of using words in such a way that makes reading them just simply delightful! So much so that as a writer myself I sat down and prayed for the Lord to give me a way with words similar to what this author has! Beautiful wording Sydney Avey! Not only that but the story is such a good one and hard to believe it isn't real. I do suspect that parts of this ARE real? I could be wrong.Hmmmmm? But it sure seemed real to me and just a delight to read this book. When I first began reading this book, I must admit, I didn't like how the chapters went back and forth between the different character's views. Yet once I got the hang of it I fell in love with it! It kept me in suspense as to whose views the next chapter would be about! I love how there were things I learned from the book as well. One of them being that if you are willing to give something up in your life, then you will be able to make room for what you REALLY desire in your life! Good, isn't that? Right smack in middle of a season where I am doing just that! Teaches me that even though fiction are things that are made up...a whole lot of it is REAL and comes from the heart of the author, from their own personal experiences and written in a way that is not boring, dry or dull but exciting! You just won't be able to put this one down once you get it in your hands! I am not kidding. It is really, really good. Hope to be able to read the sequel titled "The Lyre and the Lambs" when it comes out. I recommend this book and this author! Lord bless you on your own spiritual journey! Happy reading! I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from HopeSpringsBooks.com through the www.bookcrash.com book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Staying Alive: A Love Story by Laura B. Hayden

I do not like writing negative reviews and really wanted to say something nice about this book. However, I had such a hard, hard time reading it for one thing. It was so confusing me to me. Then there were the swear words which really turned me off. I am sure there are good points in this book? But due to the writing style and the swear words I find I cannot recommend this book to other Christians. Just because someone is of a certain religion that does not mean they are necessarily Christian. This book only brought me down and did not encourage me but instead brought discouragement. My only hope is that the author found some sort of release and healing when writing the book. I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from Signalman Publishing through the www.bookcrash.com book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Take Flight! A Sisterchick's Devotional by Robin Jones Gunn & Cinty Hannan

I love the compact size of this book which instantly draws me in! I also love the colors of the hardback cover. It is a very well made book. I love the peach and blue colors! Going to the inside I was not disappointed. It was just as pretty on the inside as it was on the out! Robin Jones Gunn and Cindy Hannan take turns sharing their testimonies. It is quite encouraging! I love the idea of the Sisterchicks! Robin Jones Gunn has other books you may want to sneak a peek at as well. One of the other ones I have read and loved is "Victim of Grace." WONDERFUL! Would make a great gift for the women in your life! I recommend! I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from the Multnomah publishers through the www.bloggingforbooks.org book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good by Peter Greer

There were quite a lot of things that I got out of this book which have helped me in changing mindsets about ministry. Things I needed to hear. I think that those of us who feel we are called to ministry and even regular Christians need to often have a "turn-about face" experience and to re-group. This book will have that affect on you. It did me. I recommend this book. I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review through the Bethany House publishers through the www.tyndaleblognetwork.com book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Rude Awakening by Mark E. Donnelly

The thing that stands out the most to me about this book is that I had a hard time reading it. I think though this could be partly because of my own brain and how I tend to process things. I prefer things to be more simply written. Having said that...this book is meaty and chock full of details and scripture. It has taken me quite awhile to get through it having had to "digest" it in small bites. Mark's life changed following a near death experience. He shares how and why in his book. Seems to me we ought to pay attention to such people who have had near death experiences. Those who have had such experiences all seem to either have been told by God to share with the rest of us or else they are just compelled to do so. This is not the first book I have read about experiences during or after a near death experience and I have also spoke with a few individuals face to face who have either had a personal near death experience or know of a close loved one who did. I believe in such experiences as know we serve a God that cannot be put into a box. I recommend this book. I received this book for free in exchange for a free book review from the Engaged Publishing Group through the www.bookcrash.com book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review.