Book Review: Over the Edge

Over the Edge, by Mary Connealy

Apparently, this is book 3 in a series and I would love to read the first two. It was pretty good. There were so many surprises in the first 75 pages, that I had to keep reading. I think maybe the storyline with the surprise brother was a little unnecessary, but it was still good. Heath added a fun dynamic to the already crazy Callie and Seth love story. Callie was one tough cookie and I admired her from the beginning. I can't imagine leaving my home to find the husband that abandoned me. I really can't imagine my husband forgetting who I was and abandoning me, though. There were so many tough breaks that brought Callie and Seth together. It was a beautiful love story and I'm looking forward to reading the first two books in this series.

Book Review: Word, Spirit, Power

Word, Spirit, Power: What Happens When You Seek All God Has to Offer
        by R.T.Kendall, Charles Carrin and Jack Taylor

This book was full of great information and thoughts, but I had a difficult time reading it. It was drier than I am used. I had a very hard time staying with it to finish it. It took me several weeks. I did appreciate the way each author focused on one of the subjects, the Word, the Spirit and Power. That made it a tad easier than each of them tackling each subject. Honestly, it was just too dry for me.

Book Review: Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson

I've heard for years that I should try reading Tracie Peterson books, but have never given in. I'm glad I chose to review this book. Touching the Sky takes place in Corpus Christi, TX, just after the Civil War has ended. Level-headed Laura watches her sister marry a Confederate soldier only to have her life tumble down the drain. I loved and understood the struggle between letting someone you love make life-changing mistakes and supporting them through those mistakes. I loved the connection between Laura and her Captain Brandon. I am a hopeless romantic and loved the way he swept her off her feet from the beginning. I was desperately afraid things were going to end badly. I was convinced and couldn't put the book down towards the end. I had to know what happened.
The depiction of the continuing struggle between Union and Confederate soldiers even after the war, especially in the state of Texas, was also a good history lesson for me. It was very well-written, entertaining, and I will be looking for more Tracie Peterson books to lose myself in.

Book Review: Travelers Rest by Ann Tatlock

This was my first Ann Tatlock book, and I can honestly say I was hooked from page 1. I had no difficulty getting into this one. It was a heart-breaking look at wounded veterans, but I was intrigued by the way Ann handled her characters. It was obvious Jane was struggling with the changes she and Seth would face, should they continue their engagement, but she was determined to make things work. She had already committed to Seth. That's a rare thing in this day and age, but she was committed when she accepted his proposal. I appreciated the ending, sad as it was. The whole book seemed genuine and true-to-life, not sugar-coated. It was a fast, but wonderful read. I highly recommend Travelers Rest and will be looking for other Ann Tatlock books.

Book Review: Unstuck: Your Life. God's Design. Real Change.

Oh my. This one was a game changer for me. I was skeptical at first glance, but was hooked and changing myself by page 5. This book is backed by page after page of research on reading the Bible and is packed with resources to help you do exactly what the research findings suggest. I loved it. It has challenged my thinking and helped me make drastic changes in my Bible reading habits and views on the importance of being in the Word. As a Believer, I've struggled my whole life with making Bible reading a habit. The idea that four days of Bible "engagement," as the authors refer to it, can change your life and deepen your faith seems like a long shot. It's true. 22 days into the daily assignments, I believe it. I think about scripture more often. I engage in biblical conversations more frequently. My husband and I are talking about what I'm reading in the book and in the Bible almost every day.
The website connected to Unstuck offers texts, emails and phone calls with scripture to help with the daily engagement. You're able to sign up for as little or as much prodding as you want. You can even get a daily encouragement/check-in call from a real, live person. It's incredible.
This was not a difficult read, but it was difficult to realize how nonexistent scripture was in my life. I knew it, but being confronted with the facts was not pleasant. I've already told Jared his men's Bible study group and our small group need to read this one together. The discussions he and I have had have been wonderful. Just four days will "unstick" you. I believe it after just three weeks. I have been encouraged and convicted. This is a must read for anyone professing to be a Christian!

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Book Review: The Fiddler, by Beverly Lewis

It's been a long time since I read anything by Beverly Lewis. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to latch back onto her or not. I did. From the beginning, I was unable to put The Fiddler down. Perhaps it was my love of music and understanding of that world or perhaps it was the curiosity of the Amish world. I think, though, that it was just what I needed. I enjoyed the immediate attraction between Amelia and Michael. I appreciated the way they connected and found each other again despite the road blocks. I've missed Beverly Lewis and am glad I picked this one up!
At one point, the "wise woman" asked Amelia if her life was magnifying God or man. Unfortunately, it's been a long time since I thought about that very question. The whole time, Michael and Amelia are both struggling to tell their parents they are done shoving their hopes and dreams to the back burner. It really made me think about whether or not I'm magnifying God. Yikes. This book will make you think, if you let it.

The Messenger Review

I finally finished reading my first Bethany House book, The Messenger, by Siri Mitchell. It took me a couple chapters to get into it, but I really enjoyed it once I got going. I felt awful for Hannah, the oppression of her faith seemed daunting. I also was amazed by her courage to do what she truly felt was right. We're currently discussing ethical issues in our bible class, and I can't imagine the internal tug of war Hannah must have had. I don't know what I would have done or would do her that situation.

On the other hand, lying was second nature to Jeremiah. He was her polar opposite. Their bond, though strange, was part of the reason I couldn't put this book down, wanting to know where they ended up. Hannah was an excellent heroine. I really fell in love with her. This book was a good read, and I recommend it not only for the story, but also the issues Hannah and Jeremiah dealt with.

Missing my cds

We've run out of room at the condo. That's why we're selling it. I've had to put tons of my books, cds, dvds, etc. in storage. It stinks. I can't just go to the tower and pull out what I NEED to listen to. ;) I have to drive to the storage unit, find the box, find another box, plow through and maybe find it. Then, drive home and pop it in. It's work. So, there are tons of cds I won't listen to until we have a real house and I unpack. It will be like Christmas.
One of those cds is Sam and Ruby. Don't remember the title, but those are the artists. It's mellow, soothing and I miss it.

New Adventure

I've recently signed on to be a book reviewer for Bethany House Publishing. Since I love reading, I thought this would be fun, and a sweet diversion from every day life. In order to do it, I had to either open up my private family blog or create a new one. Here it is. I decided there are other things I'd like to share, apart from my family stories and pics. So, welcome to my brain. I plan to include reviews of books and music (since I miss pushing that on my students) and tips from my doctor husband. I learn something new from him about the doctor world almost daily.
Here's yesterday's tidbit: Pink eye is almost always viral. That means those antibiotic eye drops they give you don't help since they only fight bacteria. Doctors prescribe the drops for two reasons: 1. The parent insists on it, which is usually because of 2. The school nurse/school district insists on it.
Another pink eye tidbit, it's contagious for a long time.