In Broken Places: A review

Brokenness is such a vague and huge topic and so prevalent in our society today in all it's forms that only the brave attempt to understand it and are willing to be God's instrument to fight it. Michele Phoenix is one of those brave authors who attempts to show us this through the life of her characters especially the main character Shelby. This story has quickly become one of my favorites. There are so many themes to explore in this story but I won't overwhelm you I'll only mention a couple because you must read this book yourself. I love to read but there are only few books that I get really excited about and this is one of them. Two themes that I saw and reached out and grabbed me are relationships and pain. The relationship our main character has with her brother, mother, and especially the one she has with her father which leads the one with her half sister. Michele shows us how those relationships help Shelby to discover who she is and to be able to start raising her half sister. Pain was a theme I did not want to see but impossible to overlook. Especially with the references to C.S. Lewis's Shadowland and the flashbacks from Shelby's childhood. Another aspect of the book which appealed to me because once upon a time I wanted to teach, so her interactions with her students was very special to me. There's more I could say but i want you to find out yourself. This is not an easy read by  means but once you get started you'll want to read more and go back to what you've read for a second look.  If you like stories about characters of strength, love and discovery you'll love this book. 

About The Book: Shelby’s life isn’t glamorous, but it is predictable—and that’s the way she likes it. A survivor of her father’s violence, she has spent a lifetime creating a safe existence devoid of dependence. But her carefully managed world begins to break when, under staggering circumstances, she becomes a single mother to four-year-old Shayla. In a drastic attempt to escape her childhood’s influence, Shelby moves to Germany, but she quickly discovers how intimately linked memory and healing are—and how honestly she must scrutinize her past in order to aspire to a richer future. As she juggles a new job, a new culture, a new daughter, and the attention of an enterprising man, Shelby’s fresh start becomes a quest for the courage to be not only a survivor, but someone who prevails.

Author Website: www.michelephoenix.com


This book was given to me for my honest review.

Justice or Mercy.......

As a people what do you think our philosophy should be when we are wronged Justice or Mercy?? Most people Christian or not our philosophy has been justice since we feel that mercy is giving those who have wronged us permission to hurt us again. This is one of the central themes in Karen Witemeyer's newest novel Stealing the Preacher. The story starts off with a bang as we witness the kidnapping of Crockett Archer brother of Travis Archer our hero from Ms. Witemeyer's last novel Short Straw bride. This is the sequel but you get enough information that this story could stand alone. Though the theme can be found throughout the story it is subtle enough that each character comes through and it is still enjoyable. Ms. Witemeyer brought joy, fun and humor to a frontier Texas town in her story. This novel has a little bit of everything romance, a little action, and a little thriller. Justice and mercy are vague topics but she made it very clear and concise with the relationships of the characters in the story. "Stealing The Preacher" has inspired me to be stronger in reaching my family members and those around me for Christ. For those who Love historical fiction and who like a touch of humor, and action this story is a must read!!! It will be released June 2013


This ebook was provided for me by Netgalley for my honest reviews all opinions posted are mine alone.


About the Story:
On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?



Author Website: http://www.karenwitemeyer.com.

The Guardian Review...

The Guardian by Beverly Lewis is one of those feel good stories like a comfortable blanket that you want to keep going back to. This is the third book in the hickory lane series so it was good to get back there and to hear Ella Mae "the wise woman's" home spun wisdom again. Though it is a really stand alone since only the location and a few characters are mentioned. By the end of the story you feel like you know each character    and you can't wait to spend time with them. The relationship between Jodi and Maryanna is really special. Two women from two totally different worlds, at first cautious then they learn that when it comes down to it we suffer the same things in this world love and lost. Maryanna helps Jodi heal and Jodi helps Maryanna open up again.  The first theme that I gleaned from this story is to let God direct our lives. That is one of the hardest things to learn to do total dependence on God even when we don't understand what he is doing. As Ella Mae said "I've learned that sometimes I have to give up my right to know and simply believe that God's knowing is enough." The next one would be that The Guardian reminded me that no matter what emotion including anger the best place to go is to God in prayer. For example when Ella Mae explains how mad she was at God when her husband died and how she poured it out to God. The miracle is he takes our pain as his own to heal us. Such a great principle to remember. Though an avid reader this is only my second Beverly Lewis novel the first was The Fiddler and I would say her reputation is well deserved.  I really enjoyed this story if you are looking a book to enjoy on a rainy day then I would highly recommend this book you'll come away feeling good.  It will be released on March 26,2013

This ebook was provided for me by Netgalley  for my honest reviews all opinions posted are mine alone.

About the Story:
When Jodi Winfield comes to Lancaster to house-sit, the last thing she expects to find is a disheveled little girl alone on the side of the road. The young teacher is mystified when she learns there have been no reports of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can't speak English. It's as if the child appeared out of nowhere.
Then Jodi turns her attention to Hickory Hollow--and the cloistered world of the Old Order Amish--in search of answers.

Author info@ http://www.beverlylewis.com/