The Warrior (Joyce Swann) Book Review

2018 Reading Challenge

1. The Warrior by Joyce Swann

Synopsis:
James is sitting at a Ft. Worth intersection waiting for the light to change when he hears the roar of a truck engine speeding toward him. Before he can react, his motorcycle is crushed, and he is thrown fifty feet onto the median.
At that precise moment in Dallas, Elizabeth’s sleep is interrupted by a vivid dream in which she witnesses James' accident. As she watches him begin to pass from life to death, she extends her hand and cries, “Don’t die if you don’t know Jesus!”
Although neither James nor Elizabeth is aware of the existence of the other, they begin a ten-year odyssey in which their lives are inexorably intertwined, changing their futures and the futures of those they love most.
The Warrior is a moving testimony to the power of prayer and God’s desire to redeem every life.

My Review:
This story is about Elizabeth, a prayer warrior, with a family of her own. One night, she has a dream about a man who got in a terrible motorcycle accident. Not knowing if it's real, Elizabeth feels compelled to pray for him the next morning and that's what she does.

Over the next ten years, both James' and Elizabeth's lives are intertwined, with neither of them knowing that the other exists. During that time, Elizabeth's daughter Molly rebels from her Christian upbringing and moves to California. She gets involved with the wrong crowd, which leads to her life in the balance. James, on the other hand, gets disheartened and depressed after his accident and he starts down the road of drugs and alcohol. Throughout everything, Elizabeth prayed daily for both of them and even keeps a journal of when she feels an inkling to pray for James, during which everyone else around her thinks she's crazy.

It's often said that you need to hit rock bottom to come out on top. Everyone has their breaking point, the moment when they realize that they need to turn things around, or more importantly, to turn their life around. After ten years, circumstances lead James and Elizabeth to meet. Although they see each other more than once, the first encounter proves to Elizabeth that prayer really does work and that God asked her to pray for James for a reason. James and Molly get a second chance at life and come to the realization in the end that God was there for them when they didn't think it was possible. God works in mysterious ways to reclaim every life back when we stray away from our faith.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Daniel (Robin Merrill) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

16. Daniel by Robin Merrill

Synopsis:

Open Door Church has served as a homeless shelter for more than a decade, but when their pastor dies unexpectedly, those who remain struggle to take up the reins to keep the ministry going. And then there’s young Daniel, who seems to be working miracles in their midst, which of course, isn’t possible. Or is it?

My Review:

When a pastor started up a church, he also opened it up as a homeless shelter. Everything was going well for quite awhile, but it's thrown into disarray after the pastor dies suddenly and unexpectedly. Then it becomes a story of survival as there was no one left in charge in the event of his passing. I believe that those who took in the church for shelter had to attend the services, in addition to pitching in around the church as well. Since there was no protocol, they decide to sort of vote on who gets to lead them and it's someone who has been a crucial help to the church, although not homeless. While some good-hearted parishioners attempt to follow in the footsteps of the former pastor, there's a group of men who believe that they are supposed to be in charge and wants to ruin all the hard work put into the church and shelter by turning it into everything that it's not supposed to be.

At the heart of this novel (as it's aptly named after him) is Daniel, a little boy who can perform miracles by healing people. But only those he's supposed to heal. While his mom tries to keep it hidden, his secret comes out and all of a sudden he's supposed to heal everyone. Daniel doesn't know why he has this ability, but he also has a strong faith in God. Since he's only a kid, he can't put up with the pressure. And he's in further deep water when his taking about God and his faith gets them thrown out. Daniel was my favorite character because even though he has this special gift, he's just a sweet kid. He's one of the few people who believe that that church and shelter will go back to what it was supposed to be.

Daniel was definitely a page-turner. I enjoyed getting to know the families and parishioners of the church and shelter. There will be ones you love and ones you just love to hate. 

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

The Shack Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

12. The Shack by William Paul Young
      Topic/Prompt: book that's becoming a movie in 2017

Synopsis:

Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his "Great Sadness," Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.

Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.

My Review:

I read this book several years ago, but wanted to read it again since the movie was coming out this year. I can honestly say that I really enjoyed it both times. When I read it the first time, I was left feeling confused after I finished it. This time around, I had a better understanding of what the book was truly about.

Mack's daughter was abducted and murdered in a shack in the wilderness. Several years later, Mack receives a letter from God inviting him back there for a couple days. He's basically given a choice and decides to take Him up on the offer. While Mack doesn't want to revisit that nightmare, he figures he has nothing to lose. In the several years since his daughter died, Mack had doubted and questioned his faith. During the weekend, he has conversations with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. These conversations are meant to answer his questions about why it happened and how he can overcome this dark time in his life and any other questions he has to help him re-discover God and his faith.

Controversial at best for its theological viewpoints, I wrote this review not from the theology view, but about the story itself. When we go through hard times in our lives, we often question God and everything we believe in. While this book and the God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit presented in the story are not a substitute for the Bible and God's Word, it does help provide answers to some questions you may have like why did God let this happen? The book is about the relationship between Mack and God and what God means to him. It provides some thought provoking and life changing (for some people) conversations that you may ask yourself. If you ever find yourself doubting or questioning God, you should first and foremost seek out God's Word in the Bible, but this book can be a start. It was a story filled with moments of happiness, as well as sadness, and pretty much every emotion people go through when they lose a loved one.

I enjoyed the story and the concept. When a book is fiction, you should be able to distinguish between what's real and not when it comes to a spiritual subject like God and religion.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Be Thou My Vision (Faith Blum) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

11. Be Thou My Vision by Faith Blum

Synopsis:

Anna Stuart is comfortable with her life. She may be a 30 year old spinster, but she has her routine and enjoys taking care of her father and older brother. One letter shatters all her routines, comfort, and enjoyment. After learning of her brother’s death, Anna feels like her life will never be the same again. Then she meets two motherless boys. Did God place them in her life to lead her to a new vision of life? Can she trust God to give her the desires of her heart before she even knows what they are?

My Review:
I thought this was a thoroughly good read overall. Anna may be a 30 year old spinster, but she has enjoyed being the caretaker for her father and older brother. Everything changes one day when she receives a letter that her other brother died and he also wrote something to her right before that. Anna, torn into despair and grief, starts to question everything she believes in, God included. However, the letter also inspires Anna to seek out God again. She does it for herself and nobody else. She does have a relatively quick transformation, but it doesn't happen overnight either. When she goes back to Church, Anna is in for the unexpected surprise of befriending two boys. James and John just happen to be the preacher's sons, who are motherless and one of which is deaf (James I believe). They are drawn to her and end up encouraging her more to believe in God without even knowing it. Anna does meet Miles, of course the preacher. They hit it off, but he's so guarded that it takes him awhile to let her in his heart. Miles has had his hands full with not only the Church, but his boys, and Anna ends up being the answer to his call. Despite their personal struggles, both seem to realize that they are meant to be together. One of my favorite parts was Anna truly wanting to learn sign language so she could communicate better with James.

There was only part of the novel that I didn't really like. The Church had a gossip group of ladies who were not very welcoming to either Anna or the budding relationship with Miles. I really didn't find that to be Christian-like of what seemed to be true God-loving characters at first. And also, they knew Miles needed some support, but didn't offer any. Since it was a small Church, I thought everyone would be supportive of each other in the community and church as well.

While this is a Christian fiction novel, the story wasn't overly preachy, but still maintained that strong sense of Christian faith. I would have liked to have met some more characters from the community and got to know them as well. It was a well written story filled with some decent plotlines. I know I probably mentioned this before, but I really feel that people are in our lives for a reason and that's how I felt that Miles, James, and John were meant to be in Anna's life to gain a new perspective or vision in her life.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Callie (Sharon Srock) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

34. Callie by Sharon Srock

Synopsis: A baby is dead and Callie Stillman blames herself. Haunted by memories of a tiny coffin, Callie can’t understand how God could expect her to put her heart on the line a second time. But the evasive little girl attending her Sunday School class is so obviously in trouble that Callie finds her resolve cracking. Iris and Samantha Evans are living on borrowed time. Deserted, orphaned, betrayed, and deceived, they need rescuing in the worst way. Steve Evans had his life changed by God. A reformed drug addict, he’s searching for the family he abandoned ten years ago and praying for a miracle. The road to healing is rocky. But as Callie confronts her worst fears by bringing father and daughters together in a risky bid for reconciliation, she realizes that the Evans family aren’t the only ones God wants to rescue from a tortured past.

My Review:

Callie was a good read, though it took me awhile to get into it. Callie is the kind of person who wants to do whatever she can to help others. When something goes wrong with a situation that Callie thought she was helping with, she can't help but blame herself. It wasn't even her fault, but she's been haunted by it ever since and can't get past it. Despite this, Callie feels called to help when she realizes how much Iris and her sister needs it. Taking Samantha and Iris under her wing, Callie sets out to prove that she can make a difference in not only their lives, but hers as well. She doesn't get much support from her husband at first because he doesn't want her to end up getting hurt again. I can see his point, but she's able to warm him up that she's doing the right thing. Samantha is resistant to change and help as she's been let down so much in the past and doesn't trust people easily. Callie realizes that she might be getting in over her head, but she's determined to not give up. Little by little, piece by piece, Callie, Samantha, Iris, and Steve start to heal from their troubled past.

What I liked about Callie was the theme revolving around second chances, new beginnings, and forgiving yourself/letting go of your past. Steve and Samantha learn the importance of second chances; people can change if they really want to. Callie goes through a transformation of forgiving herself and just letting go of what happened. Every main character comes to realize that new beginnings are possible if you let down your guard a little and be more vulnerable. I'm not saying that these things are easy, but things can change if you do it a little at a time. I can't end this without mentioning that Callie's friends were a great support system which was an added bonus.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Behind Her Smile (Rosemary Hines) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

32. Behind Her Smile by Rosemary Hines

Synopsis:
Not good enough…the words echo in Madison Baron’s mind as the darkness presses her to be thinner, more beautiful—somehow more attractive to her peers. A junior in high school, she is facing life without her childhood love, Luke Johnson, who is off to college in the Midwest. Alone with her insecurities, Madison yearns for acceptance—until Miles that is. Will a relationship with this new student on campus be the answer she seeks? And how will his resistance to her Christian faith affect her future?
As the two of them grow closer and closer, something happens inside of Madison, and she finds herself more insecure than ever. Gazing into the mirror at her thinning face and trendy makeup, she hopes no one sees the fear behind her smile.

My Review:

This was my favorite book in the Sandy Cove series. It covers an issue that's relatable to the female population, particularly those girls in their pre-teen and teenage years: not being good enough. And if you're older and reading this, like myself, I think we can understand the issues that Madison goes through in this story because we've been there.

Madison is at the forefront of this particular book. I was so happy to see that because she's grown up throughout the series. It was nice to hear her voice come out finally. Madison is 16 and like most teenagers, she doesn't think she looks thin enough, not attractive enough. For the first time in her life, she's on her own, as Madison's childhood friend and love of her life is away at college. She's looking for acceptance and respect from her peers. When Miles enters the picture, she thinks she found what she's looking for. Her beliefs and morals are put to the test as she embraces a relationship with Miles. He dares her to go outside of her limits and comfort zone.

Complicating things is that Madison's parents can't seem to connect with her. And that Madison is going through teenage rebellion, so to say. This leads to a lot of arguing/disagreements with them, especially her mom. When Madison does something she never thought she would by having sex with Miles, she beats herself up about it. Not knowing what to do and not able to talk to her mom, Madison runs away to her grandmother's house. Over the course of a few days, she finally feels she can open up about it with her grandmother's help. It takes some time before Madison can approach her mom (as she feels her mom's going to be hurt and disappointed in her). She doesn't expect her mo to react the way she thinks. Everything gets sorted out and then Luke comes back for the summer. It's clear that Madison and Luke should be a couple, but Madison doesn't believe she's worthy enough for him. What happens between them is left up in the air as the book ends with them having a much needed conbersation, but we don't find out if they get together.

This is a story about forgiveness and redemption. Madison has to learn how to forgive herself for her mistakes and realize that mistakes do happen and Moody's perfect. Things don't always go according to plan and sometimes certain things just happen and that's okay. When it comes to God, He doesn't expect us to be perfect either. But He does want us to ask for forgiveness - that's the point of confession/penance/reconciliation and absolution. 

This is book 6 of the Sandy Cove series. I'm also going to point out that I think they should be read in order. As of this writing, this is the last book in the series, as I'm not sure if Rosemary Hines is planning to continue on with it or not. To read my other reviews for this series, click the links below:

Out of a Dream
Through the Tears
Into Magnolia
Around the Bend
From the Heart

Happy Reading and Keep On Writing!

♥Meg♥

From the Heart (Rosemary Hines) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

30. From the Heart by Rosemary Hines
      Theme/Topic: book you can read in a day

Synopsis:

After the loss of her beloved husband Phil, Joan Walker struggles to stay afloat in a sea of grief. Then she happens upon a discovery that will impact her entire family and challenge her future.
Will Phil’s legacy be able to restore joy to her broken heart?

My Review:

This is the most heartbreaking, emotional, and moving book in the series. Joan is at the forefront of this novella as she tries to come to terms with Phil's passing, adjusting to life without him. As the family start going through his things, they discover his secret project that he put so much time into during Around the Bend. It's a bunch of Christmas gifts he left for each family member. But the meaning behind them is what makes them special. The gifts include two video tapes: one for all of them and one just for Joan. While I won't go into what they contained, as I feel that doing so would take away the purpose of reading it, have your tissues ready. What I also liked was that you find out how they met and fell in love.

When we lose someone we love, some days are better than others. Grief can strike at any time. Even the simplest thing can evoke that feeling. I don't think we ever truly get over losing someone, but we simply get used to a new normal without them in our life. I'm going to end this with a quote from Joan herself, which perfectly sums up grief:

"Grief is a funny thing. It hits like huge waves in the sea, one after the other, at first. Then the waves are a little less frequent until eventually a whole day may pass without one hitting. But when it does, each wave is nearly as intense as the first. And they can come at the most unexpected times." - Joan Walker

This is book five in a series. Click below for the other book reviews I did for this series:
Out of a Dream
Through the Tears
Into Magnolia
Around the Bend

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Around the Bend (Rosemary Hines) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

29. Around the Bend by Rosemary Hines

Synopsis:
The carefree days of summer bring an unexpected turn in Michelle Baron’s life when her former student (and the birth mother of their adopted son) returns to Sandy Cove. What is Amber Gamble seeking? How will it affect Michelle and her family? And will patriarch Grandpa Phil, facing a heart wrenching challenge himself, be able to help them lean on God for answers as they await what lies Around the Bend?

My Review:

The end of another school year is near and the summer is about to begin for Michelle and her family. A couple of mysterious phone calls and a car that keeps circling around their neighborhood/street starts to concern her family. Six years ago, Amber gave Caleb up for adoption, to Michelle and Steve. Now she's back in town with a mission to see Caleb to get closure. When Amber unexpectedly shows up at their doorstep on the day of Caleb's birthday party, it all begins to make sense. Michelle and Steve agree to see Amber first to make sure her intentions are clear. The last thing they want is to have Caleb taken away from them. Still unsure, they let Amber see him under supervision with at least one of them present. As the visits continue, Amber starts thinking that she'll do anything to get him back, but to not let on that that's what she wants. Amber is put to the test once again when her boyfriend dies in a car accident, but Phil helps her through it. When it comes to Caleb, everyone comes to the conclusion that it's best for Amber to keep in contact with him.

Meanwhile, Phil, the family patriarch, has been working hard on a special project in his woodshop. And also dealing with the health challenges of getting older. I believe he has a feeling that his time on earth is nearing the end, but it doesn't stop him from being there for everyone else. As a pastor, he's always been good at giving advice and listening to others without passing judgement. It's heartbreaking when he ultimately dies and we begin to see how the family tries to cope as they plan his memorial service. We get to see how much of an impact he had on the community, family and even Amber during his funeral and subsequent memorial service. Phil and his wife Joan were like the glue that kept the family together. This book takes you on a journey of forgiveness, loss, hope, and love.

Click below to see my other reviews for this series:
Out of a Dream
Through the Tears
Into Magnolia

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Into Magnolia (Rosemary Hines) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

28. Into Magnolia by Rosemary Hines

Synopsis:

Amber Gamble sat on the floor beside her bed. I hate them. All of them, she thought to herself.
As Michelle Baron ascends the steps of Magnolia Middle School, her life is about to change forever. The dream of becoming a teacher leads her on an unexpected journey that will challenge her professionally and personally. Although 180 students file through her classroom daily, one demands her attention more than the others. Living in her third foster home in a year, Amber’s bitterness and rebellion spark a challenge within Michelle to somehow make a difference in this troubled girl’s life.
Meanwhile, Michelle’s daughter develops a series of unexplainable bruises. A stunning visit to the pediatrician reveals frightening possibilities. While Michelle tries to hold her fears at bay, Amber approaches her with a daunting crisis of her own.

My Review:

As Michelle starts her new career as a middle school teacher, she doesn't realize how much it will challenge her professionally and personally. Balancing both areas of her life is hard to maintain at first, but she does get a system down before long. One student doesn't make it any easier, though. Amber is a bit if a trouble maker, but she comes from a rough background. Her dad is not in the picture and since her mom has been in and out of drug rehabs and psychiatric hospitals, Amber has been in and out of foster care and is now in her third foster home in a year, separated from her brother. All she needs is someone to trust, someone to care, other than her social worked. Michelle decides to take her on as somewhat as a mentor to let her know that there are people in her side, that there are people who care. What starts out as simple, small things at first turns into more than Michelle can ever imagine. Everyone else thinks Michelle's taking on more than she can handle, but she believes she can make a difference in Amber's life.

In the midst of all that, Michelle's daughter, Madison, starts developing mysterious bruises. When Michelle and Steve learn that their five year old daughter may have leukemia, it's all they can do but think the worst. They soon figure out that the waiting game is the hardest and it seems like forever before the results come back. I think that is something we all can relate to, in some way or another. I liked how they approached and handled the situation with Madison throughout those few weeks. Before long, everyone's relieved when they find out she only has a genetic blood disorder rather than cancer.

Everything changes when Amber reveals to both her social worked and Michelle that she's pregnant with her high school boyfriend. Her boyfriend wants her to abort it, but Amber doesn't think that's the way to go. With the help of both women, she finally comes to a decision. Being only 14, Amber knows she doesn't have the resources to take care of a baby, prompting her to ask Michelle for a huge favor: to adopt the baby. It's a decision not to be taken lightly. Michelle and Steve have talked previously about adopting a child, but they don't want to get their hopes as anything can happen, plus they have Madison to consider. They come to figure out that it would be the right choice for them, so they agree. Complications arise with the birth and it's touch and go for a little while. After about a month or so, Michelle and Steve are finally able to bring home their unexpected bundle of joy, Caleb. 

This is the third book in the Sandy Cove series. Click below to see my other reviews: 

Out of a Dream

Through the Tears

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Through the Tears (Rosemary Hines) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

25. Through the Tears by Rosemary Hines

Synopsis:
Michelle Baron sat on the edge of the couch, her heart racing as she looked at the envelope in her hand. I guess this is it, she thought. The return address seemed harmless enough. Fairfield Lab, Portland, Oregon. But this envelope contained information that could change her life forever.
Michelle and her family rejoice when her father begins to regain consciousness after an unsuccessful suicide attempt. But a long journey awaits, as they seek to clear his name of the embezzlement charges that drove him to this desperate act. The days of their vigil at the hospital drag into weeks, and Michelle finds herself repeatedly drawn to the newborn nursery. Observing couples leave with tiny babies in their arms, her heart is stirred, and she begins to yearn for a child of her own. However, an unexpected twist will threaten her new dream.

My Review:

As John starts to recover from his suicide attempt, his family has to take care of his embezzlement charges and clear his name. In the meantime, Michelle has to figure out how to deal with Trevor. Who's Trevor? Trevor was her spiritual guide (or something like that) in Out of a Dream. It has also been his mission to somehow get involved intimately with Michelle and are destined to be together. And yes, he knows she's married. There have been some instances where Michelle has felt more comfortable being around him rather than her husband. Now, Michelle is looking to break back into her Christian faith, but is still battling some feelings for Trevor. In this book, you'll get to hear from Trevor's perspective as well and see where he's coming from. Michelle knows she has to break things off with him in order to fix things with her husband (once Steve finds out). She's more confused than ever between wanting to become Christian again and sorting things out with Trevor. Once she breaks it off, Trevor seems fine, but still wants to figure out how to be a part of her forever.

Since John is facing a long road to recovery, Michelle, along with her family, spends a lot of time at the hospital. Michelle keeps finding herself drawn to the nursery. Seeing couples leave with their newborns makes Michelle want to have a child of her own and experience the same joy of starting a family. After John moves to a rehab center closer to home, Michelle has time once again to focus on doing just that. Months go by without anything happening and finally they find out that Steve is infertile. As they figure out the options, Steve pushes for adoption, while Michelle really wants to give birth herself. They agree to artificial insemination (Steve only does because he knows how much it means to her). Once hearing about this, Trevor has a trick up his sleeve to always have a connection to her by being the other donor without them knowing about it. The process goes well and Michelle becomes pregnant pretty quick. Once Michelle gives birth, Steve could be less than thrilled. And they do find out about Trevor. It seems to be a matter of pride that he doesn't want to be involved with the baby. The not knowing who technically is the father leads him to request a DNA test to find out for sure. Once the results come back, all is well as Steve is the father and he's able to become the father he should be.

Click here for my Out of a Dream book review. It helps to read this series in order. 

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Out of a Dream (Rosemary Hines) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

22. Out of a Dream by Rosemary Hines

Synopsis:

Michelle Baron should be reveling in her new life in Sandy Cove, Oregon. From the outside, it all looks idyllic. A newlywed settling into a quaint coastal town, her husband establishing himself as a junior partner in a law firm—what more could she want? But a series of disturbing nightmares haunts Michelle. Her quest to understand these dreams leads her to the New World bookstore, where she begins a spiritual journey that will challenge her Christian heritage as well as her marriage.

My Review:
For starters, it took me quite awhile to get into this book. And I wasn't sure how I was going to get through it, let alone the other books in the series. I didn't really like the writing style. It dragged along for quite a bit, making the progression of the story to be slow. I decided to stick it out though. It picked up near the end, especially as far as suspense goes, wanting me to read more.

The main theme going on throughout the story was new age beliefs. Michelle had been experiencing disturbing dreams. At the suggestion of a friend, she starts to look into dream interpretations. The more she got into that, the more she got into other New Age religion practices in her search for answers. For instance, tarot card readings, palm readings, astrology, divination and spiritual transformation. As she starts her way down a dangerous path, so to say (you'll have to read the book to understand), her grandparents keep praying that she'll come around. Michelle's grandparents are devout Christians. Michelle's parents let her and her brother choose their own path.

The other theme brought up (that's not really talked about in society) was suicide. Michelle's father, John, had been accused of embezzlement from the company he works at. He believes he's been set up, but can't prove it. As the investigation goes on, John gets go his breaking point, figuring that there's nothing that can be done to prove he's innocent. He decides the only way out is by committing suicide so that his wife and family don't get dragged into the situation (like him going through a trial and most likely being in prison for awhile). John attempts suicide and as his life hangs in the balance, the first book in this series comes to an end.

I can say that the other books in this series are really good. But it helps to read them in order. I will be posting those reviews in the next couple of weeks.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥