From Blaw to Awe

I recently read From Blah to Awe: Shaking Up a Boring Faith written by Jenna Lucado Bishop. I was very excited to have the oppotrunity to read this book, and I was not at all disappointed with this book. The book was divided into two separate sections which consist of Why Do I get Bored with God and Does God Get Bored with Me? Throughout the book there were real life stories which showed examples and personal experiences.

This book was written in a way that I found very relatable. Sometimes books seem to talk down to teenagers, but I felt this book seemed more like a friend talking to me than someone just telling me what to do and what to think. Also, I liked the journal portion and questions, as they really made me think more about what I was reading. I think this book would be the perfect read for a small group of friends who want to get stronger in their faith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255vf: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."  

Alienation

Alienation, A C.H.A.O.S. Novel, written by Jon S. Lewis, is the second book in the C.H.A.O.S. Trilogy. I didn’t have the opportunity to read the first book in this series, but since this was recommended for people who liked The Homelanders series, I decided to give this book a try. Overall, it was very different from anything else I have ever read. The book deals with the main character, Colt, beginning to get ready to attend military school with his friends to learn about battling aliens to protect Earth. When Colt finds his name on a list of people to be killed, he finds himself questioning who he can trust in addition to keeping the world safe.

As I said before, this is the first time I have read a book like this, but I enjoyed reading it. It wasn’t too difficult to follow the story, but I would have preferred to have read the first book in the series. I liked reading about the friendship between Colt, Danielle, and Oz, and the fact that the book was a quick read was also a plus. I think this book would be more geared toward science fiction fans, but I found myself rooting for the characters and wanting to learn more about their fighting aliens.    

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelseon Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Smitten

Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt is a different kind of story than I have ever read. The book looks at a time in the life of four best friends who are trying to save their town of Smitten after the closing of a local mill. The book is different in the aspect that each character in the book is written by a different author. Each author writes as an individual best friend trying to save their town and manage their relationships. The relationship aspect was also good, as each character remained true to their faith and focused on their faith as they brought life back into their small town.

I already gave this book to my cousin to borrow, as I think anyone my age will be extremely interested to read this relatively quick read. Since each character was so different, anyone can read this and related to at least one character.    

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements  

His Steadfast Love

His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons looks at the time of the 1861s during the Civil War, and the choices families were forced to make when one person they loved decided to fight for the North while another member fought for the South. Along with the daily difficulties that came from running a plantation, Amanda also had to continually worry about the whereabouts and health of bother her brother and the man she planned to marry. Throughout the book, Amanda faces many difficulties, and, at times, she finds herself thinking that God chose not to care about her family or answer her prayers anymore. Although she went through times of doubt, she continually returns to her faith throughout the work.

I really enjoyed this book. For the first few chapters, I did not think I would enjoy the book, as I didn’t really know where the story was going. I feel like the book really began to pick up after the first 40 or so pages, and I became really invested in the character of Amanda. For those who have seen Gone With the Wind, she sort of reminded me of the Scarlett character…except she didn’t seem to be at all spoiled. She was the one left to hold her family’s home together after tragedy struck. Throughout the book, she remained strong in her resolve to look after her siblings and ensure they had a roof over their heads.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.   

Treasuring Emma

Treasuring Emma: A Middlefield Family Novel, looks at the life of Emma, and the difficulties she has been facing. Emma’s mother recently died, and she is now responsible for her home she resides at along with her grandfather. Although she was once in love with a man named Adam, he left the Amish faith and Emma found herself without her best friend. When Adam returns to town, the difficulties in Emma’s life escalate as a stranger attempts to manipulate her and those in her family.

I really enjoyed this book since it wasn’t a typical Amish book. It had suspense, mystery, romance, and, most of all, faith. I liked learning about the relationship between Emma and her sister, Clara. I understand what it is like to not always get along the best with your siblings, but I appreciate how these two sisters work through their problems.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Place Called Blessing

I recently read A Place Called Blessing, Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins which was written by John Trent and Annette Smith. This book was an emotional read which looks at brothers who are placed in foster homes and separated from one another after their parents die in a drunk-driving accident. The book specifically focuses on Josh when his two older brothers are adopted, but he does not have the same experience. Josh struggles throughout his life, but he eventually has people come into his life who change his future.

This book was a very short read, and I enjoyed it a lot. I was able to read the book in the span of a weekend, and the book seemed so realistic and extremely believable. Although this is the first book I have read by John Trent, I will definitely be looking for more of his books in the future.  

    

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Waiting Place

In Eileen Button’s work The Waiting Place: Learning to Appreciate Life’s Little Delays, she talks about all of the different ways in life people wait. They wait for funerals, signs, miracles, the mail, acceptance, breakthroughs, and growing up. These are just a few of the twenty-two topics which are looked at within the book.

I thought this book had a cute concept, in that each chapter is a self-contained short story which looks at the above mentioned issues that most people, at some point in their lives, find themselves waiting for. The book was an easy, entertaining read, and I would recommend it to others who need to slow down and be content in the waiting place they are currently at in their lives.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."