Wrapped in God's Grace by Barbara Bras GIVEAWAY

Enter the Giveaway at the end of this post.

This is a memoir different from any I have read before. It is more like three vignettes, two about the author's life and a third about her grandparents.

The first vignette covers a recent sixteen year period and tells of how she and her husband had been waiting for seven years to have a child. At thirty five years old, she fell into despair. And then there was an adoption that healed her heart. She did not realize that there would be difficulties and challenges. At fifty one years old, she realizes her fifteen year old son is heading toward prison. She is trusting God will save her son from himself.

The middle vignette is about her grandparents, survivors of the atrocities in Armenia in 1915. We read of families forced marched by Turkish soldiers. Bras's grandmother lost her own mother during the march then ended up in an orphanage. Bras's grandfather had been sent to South America and then returned to fight for his native country. He managed to find his surviving female cousin and they made their way to America where they married.

The third vignette takes us back to Bras growing up in the 1950s. She tells of breaking her engagement, failing at college and dropping out, going with some fellows to Wyoming, coming back home pregnant, marriage and divorce, getting a teaching degree, and dating. It wasn't until she surrendered her will to God that her life turned out better than she could have ever imagined.

Bras does a good job creating readable accounts of her experiences and that of her grandparents. She has added dialog and action, making the stories very interesting. The order of the stories is unusual. We first read of recent events leading up to the present. Next we go back two generations. The final story goes back to Bras's teen and young adult years. I would have preferred the stories to have been in chronological order.

As is sometimes the case with memoirs, there is an emphasis on her disobedient years and actions. In the end, however, we are reminded of God's grace and how He provided for her. I would have preferred fewer boyfriend stories and more about God's grace and mercy.

I am taking part in a blog tour of this book. You can find links to other reviews and a guest post from the author here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Barbara Bras has written her memoir to show the amazing way God has blessed her. She has also written a novel that was recently released. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. You can find out more at http://authorbbras.com/.

Everlasting Arms LLC, 150 pages. You can purchase a copy here.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

2 Chairs by Bob Beaudine

His mother suggested this morning spiritual discipline in 1976. The first time he tried it, it changed his life and he's been doing it ever since.

What Beaudine's mother suggested was getting two chairs, sitting in one and expecting God to sit in the other one. God wants to spend time with us every morning, Beaudine assures us. God has been waiting for times like this when He has our attention and can talk to us.

Beaudine shares his own experience with this discipline and the experiences of many others. He helps us through the initial difficulties informing us that it will take time. The examples he includes helps us understand how we might experience God in this way. He also covers the obstacles we might encounter and give practical steps for the discipline.

To get us on our way, Beaudine asks three disruptive questions:

Does God know your situation?

Is it too hard for Him to handle?

Does He have a good plan for you?

This spiritual discipline is profound. “The idea that the Creator of the universe and the King of kings, God Himself, is waiting to meet with you seems too good to be true. But it is true.” (42) The challenge is believing God will actually speak with us. Examples of the experiences of others that Beaudine has included really encourages us to begin our morning as he suggests.

I highly recommend this book. God does want an intimate relationship with each of us and this morning routine will set the stage for vital communication. We can start by asking, as Beaudine suggests, “God, is there one thing You would like me to change today?”

You can find out more about the book and read endorsements here.

You can watch the book trailer here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Bob Beaudine is the president and CEO of Eastman & Beaudine and recognized as the top sports and entertainment search executive in the U.S. Beaudine also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Rangers. He and his wife have three adult daughters and live in Plano, Texas.

Worthy, 192 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Tangled Webs by Irene Hannon

Cabins on the edge of a national park are a great place to get one's life back together again. That's what Finn is doing after a devastating Middle Eastern mission left him a civilian with lasting wounds. Nearby Dana is trying to move forward in her life after an experience in New York left her with lingering physical effects.

The two meet and hesitatingly form a friendship. Danger creeps into their idyllic scene when it appears someone is trying to get Dana to leave her cabin. Finn comes to the rescue, endangering his life.

There is not as much suspense in this novel as there has been in others I've read by Hannon. This is a novel concentrating on character growth and budding romance much more so than action and suspense. There is no mystery involved as we know all along who is doing what and why.

I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy a Christian romance that concentrates on characters overcoming past hurts to trust again. Readers looking for a good deal of danger and suspense should look elsewhere.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Irene Hannon is the best selling and award winning author of over 35 novels. She and her husband live in Missouri. You can find out more at www.irenehannon.com.

Revell, 368 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

After September by Stephanie Smith GIVEAWAY

You can enter the GIVEAWAY at the end of this post.

Is there a chance for love later in life, after divorce or the death of a spouse? Rose Davis is about to find out. Rose's ex-husband, now married to a woman half his age, tells Rose he is moving to Washington D.C. His dream of being involved in national politics is finally happening. But what about Rose? Making the decision she needed a change, she sold the house in Portland and rented a cottage on Saint Croix. She met the doctor of the local orphanage and her life was about to change again.

This novel is pure romance. There is no complex plot involved. There is not additional information to learn about something interesting, something I like to see in a romance. There is a steamy romance. I was a little concerned about the intensity of the romance between Rose and Patrick, the doctor. It was a little too physical for me.

The strength of this novel is highlighting the difference between a faithful Christian and a nominal one. Rose was angry with God after her divorce and distanced herself from Him. Patrick is a faithful Christian and the difference in their lives is well presented.

I recommend this novel to those who enjoy a Christian romance that is all romance and quite intense with respect to the physical attraction between the characters.

I am taking part in a blog tour of this book. You can find links to others on the tour and read a guest post by the author here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Stephanie Smith dreamed of writing since she was a teenager. She lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Desert Breeze Publishing, 228 pages. You can buy a copy here.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson

In her first book (Made for More), Anderson explored what it means to be made in God's image. Now she looks at how we live out our identity, humbly dependent on God.

Humility frees us to be the people God created us to be. Anderson explores our dependence on God, how humility informs our daily choices, how the rest that Jesus offers comes when we humble ourselves and submit to Him. She also looks at how humility changes how we think about ourselves and that humility teaches us how to use our gifts. She also includes a good section on the fight against pride.

There is some good teaching in this book but I was distracted by all the writing about tomatoes, honey, herbs, milkweed, heirloom apples and more. The stories from Anderson's own experiences were used as illustrations. That's fine except that the illustrations were very long stories. I know more about tomatoes than I ever wanted.

This is a good book and I recommend it. Each of us needs to be reminded of the essential nature of humility. This book is not a quick fix. Anderson says cultivating humility is a life long journey. I did not find any discussion questions in the galley I read. It would be a real plus if you liked gardening as you read much about it in this book.

Food for thought: “When we are consumed with God's glory, we forget to worry about our own.” And, “Humility is accurately understanding ourselves and our place in the world.”

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Hannah Anderson is the wife of a rural pastor in Virginia. The mother of three, she has contributed to many periodicals and has one previous book. You can find out more at www.sometimesalight.com.

Moody, 208 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Shattered Prayers by Kenneth Ching

When Ching and his wife had their baby boy, Joshua was born with Pierre Robin Sequence, an abnormally small jaw causing the baby's tongue to be pressed into the back of the mouth. Joshua was taken to NICU as he had difficulty breathing. Then the flight to a children's hospital and the possibility of additional disorders.

Ching has given us an account of his life during that trying time. He is very honest in his messy feelings. His hope is that others going through trials will see that they are not alone. He also shows that God can meet us when we are at our worst.

This is a moving book. Ching is very open about his experiences. He struggled with his faith, at times wondering if God had caused his son's troubles, wondering if he could trust God, wondering if God would help Joshua. “And, yet, I keep praying. I pray angrily. I pray cursing. But I keep praying.” (45) He came to the realization that God did not give the disease to Joshua. “God is waging a holy war through these people and things, and he's warring to save Joshua's life.” (53)

Ching shares many of his spiritual insights, especially those that can be gained only through suffering. He writes about the experience being a marathon, having to have strength for the long period of tests, surgeries, therapists, and feeding tubes.

He has insights for visitors, too. He writes of his feelings when a local pastor told him the “Remember, God is sovereign” platitude. For those coming alongside, Ching writes, “They have permission not to say anything at all.” (89) “Showing up is good enough.” (119) Those ministering to others in need would benefit from reading this book and paying attention to the insights it contains.

I highly recommend this book to those who are suffering. Reading this book will help you realize you are not alone in your struggles to trust God. Like Ching, you will realize that you can come through the experience still loving and trusting God. You may not have many answers. God did not promise to answer all your questions but He did promise to save you and ultimately wipe away every tear.

You can request a sample chapter here.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Kenneth Ching is an attorney in Reno, Nevada. He has worked as a journalist and law professor and held positions at organizations such as World Vision and Regent University. You can find out more at http://www.kennethching.com/.

Kirkdale Press, 166 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

He Knows Your Name by Linda Znachko

Znachko never imagined that God would heal her by sending her to help carry the pain of others. “I encountered grace and was transformed,” she writes. (11)

It started with the news headline of a baby's body being found in a dumpster. Znachko's heart was stirred to inquire about a burial, something every child deserved.

That was the beginning of what came to be He Knows Your Name Ministries and a changed life for Znachko. She tells many heart tugging stories of helping families honor their loved ones who have died. An example is providing the stone for a family whose son drowned in a swimming pool. Znachko met with the family and invited the mother to study the Bible. Ultimately that led to providing swimming lessons to young people in the community.

Some of the stories may be hard to read, especially for those who have lost a child. It was encouraging to read how others came to help Znachko, providing items needed and also being present at memorials.

Znachko's ministry is unusual but her message is important. “It has always been my prayer,” she writes, “that He knows Your Name would become unnecessary as Christ's body cares for its members who are hurting and needing healing.” (168) That is the challenge this book presents. Is there a need in your community where you and others can help and care for those in need? Reading this book and seeing Znachko's example of responding to God's prompting will encourage you.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Linda Znachko is the founder of He Knows Your Name Ministries. She is a popular speaker at conferences and retreats, and has been interviewed regularly by media.

Kregel, 192 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Spiritual Steps on the Road to Success by Linda Seger ThD

Christians have the potential to influence others and impact the world through their careers. But expressing God's goodness through work presents many challenges. "That is what this book explores," Seger writes, "the spiritual challenges we meet when we want God in the center of our professional lives." (xxiii)

She has divided the book into three parts. She writes about getting started on the journey, when we are on our way, and when we've achieved our dream. She interviewed many people to gain insights from their lives. She gives many examples from her own life and the lives of others, from movie stars to Billy Graham. She also uses some stories from the Bible.

The part of the book I liked the best was the second, on our way. She helps us understand the obstacles we meet. I really liked her section on the seven deadly sins, tempting because of how the world defines success. She has other good insights too, such as web thinking, connecting instead of competing. She encourages readers to recognize evil and has a strategy for confronting it. She also helps us to think of who we are to be, not just what we are to be doing.

This is a good book for someone wanting to identify their calling. It's also good for those who desire to maintain integrity in the workplace. It is also good for those wanting to understand how their spirituality relates to their profession and life. There are lots of questions for discussion at the end of each chapter so the book could be used in a group setting.

Seger is a Quaker and sees herself as a bridge between spiritual disciplines. Evangelical Christians may have some difficulty with some of what Seger writes, considering Christianity to be one path to God among many.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Linda Seger began her script consulting business in 1981 and has trained over 70 script consultants world wide. She is the author of nine books on screenwriting and four on spirituality. She has a ThD in Drama and Theology and three MA degrees. She and her husband live in Cascade, Colorado. You can find out more at LindaSeger.com.

Clovercroft Publishing, 290 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through The Book Club Network. My comments are an independent and honest review.