Book Review: The Bathsheba Battle

The Bathsheba Battle

Finding Hope When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn

by Natalie Chambers Snapp

Abingdon Press

Christian , Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 17 Sep 2019

I am reviewing a copy of The Bathsheba Battle through Abingdon Press and Netgalley:

If you have ever had your life take an unexpected turn, or have felt hurt or stuck, The Bathsheba Battle is just the book for you.

Natalie Chambers Snapp points out that Bathsheba is one of the most misunderstood women of the Bible.  She is typically misrepresented as an adulteress.  But despite an unexpected turn in her life, which led to tragic circumstances that were beyond her control, if you look you can see that there is a glimmer of hope in her story.   In this book we are reminded that Bathsheba’s suffering led her to bear fruit that grew while she was in the deepest valley of her life.

Though our lives are different today, than it was in Bathsheba’s day, one thing remains the same, that is we all experience suffering.  Chambers reminds us too that The restoration of our relationship with God is an important first step to our own self-care.  We are reminded too that forgiveness is important but forgiveness does not always lead to reconciliation.

I give The Bathsheba Battle five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Jesus Skeptic

Jesus Skeptic

A Journalist Explores the Credibility and Impact of Christianity

by John S. Dickerson

Baker Books

Christian

Pub Date 15 Oct 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Jesus Skeptic through Baker Books and Netgalley:

Jesus Skeptic is not your typical book in the sense that it delves into the artifacts, and facts that show the reality of Jesus living as well as the impact that it has on our lives today.  

It is different too in that it shows the positive impact of Jesus’s story and the positive social impact it has today.

This is a journalist personal journey to realizing the impact that Jesus’s story has on us today.  At the beginning of this investigation John S Dickerson set out to answer these questions:

Did Jesus actually exist?

 Can Jesus’s teachings actually provide peace, identity, and fulfillment today? 

Do Jesus’s teachings block social justice and human progress—or do Jesus’s teachings further those causes?

Using some of the methods he uses in his reporting John S Dickerson begins a journey into Jesus’s life, not as a believer but as an Investigation Journalist, and one who admittedly was a skeptic.  This investigation into Christianity began with a man who was admittedly a skeptic.

In this book Dickerson takes nothing for granted as he explores whether Jesus lived and the impact whether Jesus lived and how his story changed the world.

Jesus Skeptic uncovers convincing physical evidence that will enlighten those who are seeking, skeptics as well as long time believers.  John S Dickerson has written a powerful and enlightening book for this generation.


I give Jesus Skeptic five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Book Review: Created to Draw Near

Created to Draw Near
Our Life as God's Royal Priests
by Edward T. Welch


Crossway
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 07 Jan 2020



I am reviewing a copy of Created to Draw Near through Crossway and Netgalley:




Character Matters is a book that encourages the readers to reflect on one self, it is not a book that encourages self-centeredness.  We are reminded too not to let that self reflection turn into self centerdness. 




The author encourages us to focus on the Jesus. 
The importance of kindness is also addressed with the reminder that kindness does not only involve remembering it involves doing.


We are reminded too that though being thick skinned is perfectly acceptable, it is unacceptable to lack a tender heart.


If you are looking for a book that encourages you to draw closer to God, instead of keeping him at a distance, as many Christians do.



I give Created to Draw Near five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Book Review: In the Cradle Lies

In the Cradle Lies
by Olivia Newport
Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Shiloh Run Press
Christian , General Fiction (Adult)
Pub Date 01 Nov 2019




I am reviewing a copy of In the Cradle Lies through Shiloh Run Press and Netgalley:





Tucker is on a Solo Ski Vacation in Canyon Mines, Colorado.  He has a love hate relationship with his wealth.  He spends indiscriminately even on strangers and he skis fearlessly.  As he prepared to ski Hidden Run, a dangerous run no one has dared to attempt in decades. 




Jillian is a genealogist who tries to uncover enough of Tucker's family tree in hopes of getting a better understanding of his charming nature but she's also trying to figure out where his reckless resolve comes from.  Jillian's Father who is just as charming as Tucker convinces Tucker to give him ski lessons to get him talking about the suspicious circumstances surrounding his grandfather’s life in St. Louis in the 1930s.




Tucker's family history seems perfect on the surface, but that is only on the surface.  The truth, the secret may lie in a sealed envelope.  The envelope Tucker carries with him all the time.






After Tucker is unable to be reached when the fiance he never mentioned shows up in Canyon Mines, they are faced with the fact that Tucker is likely skiing Hidden Run in a Snow Storm.


Will anyone be able to save him?




I give In the Cradle Lies five out of five stars.

Book Review: In Want + Plenty

In Want + Plenty
Waking Up to God's Provision in a Land of Longing
by Meredith McDaniel

Revell
Christian
Pub Date 21 Jan 2020




I am reviewing a copy of In Want + Plenty through Revell and Netgalley:



Despite having varying circumstances we all tend to long for something more.  We ache for a longing of something more.  We are born with dreams and many have plans and many have details on how to make those plans come true.  But there comes a point in our life that we awaken to the fact that we are not in control. Perhaps it's a tragedy, the unexpected loss of a loved one, someone you love gets sick, or a plan backfires. 


In In Want + Plenty Meredith McDaniel invites you to walk amongst God's people in Exodus as they wake up each morning to manna,
God's provision for them in desert places.  The Manna of course represents God's provision in the desert places.  In this Book Meredith McDaniel unfolds the story of the people of Exodus complete dependence on the Lord, and through the journaling exercises included with this book you'll learn the importance of that dependence on your own walk.




If you are looking for a good book that will highlight the importance of that dependence on the Lord.


I give In Want + Plenty five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

Book Revie: Daring to Live

Daring to Live
How the Power of Sisterhood and Taking Risks Can Jump-Start Your Joy
by Sheri Hunter

Baker Books

Christian

Pub Date 18 Feb 2020

I am reviewing a copy of Daring to Live through Baker Books and Netgalley:

After Sheri's husband Mannard passed away unexpectedly at only fifty years of age.  Sherri hunter was devastated by her husband's sudden and unexpected death so she turned to her friend's.  She had gone white water rafting with the group of friends dubbed the Dare Diva's.  Now they have found other adventures such as Zip Lining skydiving, mountain climbing, and more.  Sherri is slowly able to find the strength to slowly begin moving on with the help of her  friends and the death defying adventures they went on. 



This book is more than a memoir, it is a powerful female travelogue pairs emotionally driven tells, of healing and spiritual awakening.


I found Daring to Live to be a powerfully written , heartfelt book, and therefore I give it five out of five stars! 



Happy Reading!

Book Review: Dreamland

Dreamland
by Nancy Bilyeau

Endeavour Media
Endeavour Quill
Historical Fiction , Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 16 Jan 2020



I am reviewing a copy of Dreamland through Endeavour Media/Endeavour Quill
 and Netgalley:




In 1911 twenty year old heiress Peggy Batternberg is invited to America's Playground.  The problem with the invitation is that despite coming from one of America's richest families is that Peggy would  much rather work at the Moonrise Bookstore than keep up appearances with New York City Socialites and she doesn't relish having to deal with her snobbish controlling family either.




Soon though the Hedonism of Coney Island gives Peggy the Freedom she had been longing for.  Before long Peggy finds herself in love with a trouble pier sided artist who has little means.  HSomeone the Batternberg patriarchs would not approve of.






They may dissapprove, but hidden under their pomposity, they have woven a web of deceit, betrayal and deadly secrets.  As the bodies mount up on Coney Island it is as if the Batternberg can get away with anything, including murder.





I give Dreamland five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!