The Story of the Bible by Larry Stone

I did not know what to expect when I asked for this book. I thought it would be a smaller book about the authors of the Bible, but when I received it, I was in for a shock. The book is beautiful, with lovely illustrations and 23 loose pages that are illustrations of different Bibles from around the world.

The author describes the entire history of the Bible and the effects it had on different areas of the world. He describes everything, from the different types of paper used to print the Bible on, to the people who were executed for translating it. The author also summarizes several passages from the Bible detailing how the different parts of the Bible was written and by who.

This book was a very interesting read. When I was younger, I attended a Baptist school and we did learn the history of the Bible, but there were many topics in this book that I did not know about. I enjoyed reading the history about the different types of Bibles around the world and what people had to endure just to get it translated. The illustrations are beautiful, and I would recommend this book to everyone.

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.”

Lilly's Wedding Quilt

Lilly’s Wedding Quilt is an Amish romance story about a young school teacher named Lilly who, while on her way to a wedding, gets caught in the rain and decides to seek shelter in a barn. The barn was not empty as she expected. She finds a young Amish man who she has secretly loved for years, Jacob, hiding in the barn. Jacob had stolen an abused horse from an Englisch man and the police are looking for him. Jacob was shot while escaping with the horse and the only one who can help patch him up is the groom at the wedding, who is marrying the only woman Jacob ever loved, Sarah. Lilly convinces Jacob to come to the wedding with her to let the groom help him. They reach the wedding only to find the police arriving shortly after, wanting to see Jacob about the theft. Lilly tells the police that she was with Jacob the night the horse was stolen, and Jacob, not wanting Lilly to be scandalized, continues the lie by telling everyone that they are engaged to be married. The rest of the story continues, with Lilly and Jacob dealing with their wedding, their feelings for each other, jealousy, family and the rest of the Amish community.

I really enjoyed this story, another sweet and cute Amish romance. I am beginning to like them much more than regular Harlequin romance novels. The Amish women seem to be more courageous and more apt to speak their minds than their contemporary counterparts. The book was a quick read, I was able to read it in one sitting, mostly because I wanted to see what would happen next. The writing style is perfect, and I look forward to reading more from this author. I also can't wait for further books about the other characters, I would love to see Jacob's brother Seth find his own true love also.


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.”

A Conversation With God for Women

I have to say, I did not know what to expect when I got this book. I thought it would be just a regular non-fiction book, nothing special, that repeated what some other books said about God and His purpose for us on Earth. After reading it, the book well exceeded my expectations. The book is actually written as a conversation, between you and God, Jesus, Mary, Hannah, Naomi and other women from the Bible. The book has 55 questions that a woman would be more likely to ask God. Questions such as "How can we trust anyone following betrayal?" and "How can You expect us to forgive?" Complete answers are given along with Bible references to explain further and give examples. This book asked and answered many of my questions concerning God and, while reading certain parts, I surprised myself by crying because I was finally having some of my questions answered.

Before I read this book, I did believe in God and considered myself a Christian, but I always had so many questions, such as why is there so much suffering in the world, and why do bad things happen to good people while bad people are always lucky. After reading this book, so many of my questions were answered and I felt more comfortable in my beliefs. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I recommend it for everyone. Even if you do not have any questions to ask God, you need to read this book. I believe that it reaffirms and strengthens your belief in God and makes you look at life in a clearer way.

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.”

What the Heart Sees by Kathleen Fuller

What the Heart Sees is a collection of three Amish short romance stories by Kathleen Fuller that were previously published in other compilations. I have read many romance stories, but this is the first time I have read ones that have an Amish background. I have to say I enjoyed these stories more than I do regular contemporary romances. Sometimes contemporary romances are so annoying, with the man and woman both being so stubborn it is a wonder that they get together at all. But these stories were different. My favorite was the first one, "A Miracle for Miriam", about a young lady named Miriam who has absolutely no confidence in herself and Seth, a young man who had initially rejected being Amish and went to live with the “Englisch” people before a terrible accident causes him to return to his home. It was short and very cute, there were parts that I cried, and I enjoyed it a lot.

As mentioned before, I really liked these stories and will be looking to read more of these types of Amish romances. My only pet peeve was the constant peppering of the story with the Pennsylvania Dutch language. All the words used in the stories are in a glossary in the front of the book, and most of them you can figure out what they mean. But sometimes I had to refer to the glossary to know what someone was being called. I know that the Amish speak the Pennsylvania Dutch or German dialect, but it was a little annoying to be enjoying the story, then come across a phrase that I had to look up the meaning. I might be just picky with this, but that is my only negative comment. Other than that, the stories are wonderful and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

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.”

The Mountains Bow Down by Sibella Giorello

The Mountains Bow Down is the first book I have read from Sibella Giorello. Raleigh Harmon is an FBI agent (but don’t tell her mother) who, while on a combination family vacation/movie advisor job aboard a cruise ship to Alaska, is caught up in the investigation of a woman found hanging from the side of the ship. At first it looks like a suicide, but quickly turns out to be a murder. What’s more, the dead woman is the wife of the movie’s star. Raleigh asks for help from her boss at the FBI and he sends out a former co-worker, FBI Agent Jack Stephanson, a person Raleigh would rather not see again. During their investigation, they uncover some interesting facts about the movie crew, the actors, and the deceased wife, and it seems like any of them would have a reason for murder.

I really enjoyed this book. This is the fourth book in the series, so I am definitely going to get the previous books to read them. I would like to understand more of the references to past cases and incidents mentioned in this book. The writing is not too descriptive, not too repetitive and the action starts right away. Everything is just right. A side plot is also thrown in. During this investigation, Raleigh has to deal with her widowed mother's mental slide, and her Aunt Charlotte's (the owner of a New Age boutique) and Charlotte's friend Clair's (a psychic) weird antics. The book is great, and I am definitely wanting to read the next installment.

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.”

The Shelter of God's Promises by Sheila Walsh

This was the first book that I read from Sheila Walsh and it really makes me want to check out her other books and read them too. Through personal experiences and corresponding examples from the Bible, the author explains that God is will always provide for us what we need. At times, some people might feel that God has left them, or let them down. They have such pain, mental and physical, that they feel they cannot go on in their lives. But then, God puts something in their path which shows them that whatever strife they are experiencing or feeling can be overcome. There is a reason for everything that happens in our life and we should take these experiences and learn from them. By learning from them, it will make us stronger.

I really enjoyed this book, it made me feel better about some issues I am experiencing and made me have a more favorable outlook on my life. I feel now that I can overcome some of my problems, and I am taking these experiences as a learning tool.

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.”

Transforming Church in Rural America

I thought I would do better, but life sometimes interrupts, and can interrupt greatly. But it seems like everything is ok, and I am back and I have another book to review.

This is another non-fiction book, which I do not normally read. But I was interested in reading it because I am moving soon from a big city to a much smaller, rural town. I thought it would be interesting to see how the differences from big town churches to small town churches would affect a new pastor. It was a very interesting read, and it made me see that some small town churches are very different from a church in a larger town, but they do have some similarities.

Transforming Church in Rural America is written by Shannon O’Dell, the Pastor of Brand New Church Pastor O’Dell was a youth pastor at a church in Oklahoma City and was asked to become the Pastor of a small church in South Lead Hill, Arkansas. After much thought and persuasion, Pastor O’Dell moves his family and becomes the Pastor of Southside Baptist Church. The rest of the book describes the thoughts of rural churches by others in the big cities, and all his obstacles to increase Southside Baptist’s attendance.

I did enjoy this book, and found some parts of it surprising. I did not know that rural churches were looked on so unfavorably. I knew that perhaps small churches did not have as much money as larger churches to spend on the upkeep and events, but I thought decisions would be made a little easier because of the fewer attendees and committee members. From Pastor O’Dell’s descriptions, it seems like making decisions are much harder in small churches, and, even though members of the church say they do not mind it, they do not like change. At one point in the book, Pastor O’Dell describes the removal of some pews that was agreed upon by the members. Memorial plaques were on some of the pews and families were told they could remove the plaques and keep them. It turns out, even though they approved it, the families did not want the pews removed, because it would entail removing the plaques. This just seemed to me like the attendees of the church want something with their family name on it in the church so they can seem more “Christian-like” than others.

This book is a quick read and I enjoyed it. Pastor O’Dell had many trials in getting the church to where he thought it should be, and it makes me excited to wonder what to expect when I am ready to join a new church after my move.


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.”