The Most Important Women of the Bible ~ Review

The Most Important Women of the Bible
Remarkable Stories of God's Love and Redemption
By Aaron Sharp and Elaina Sharp

The Most Important Women of the Bible covers the lives and key moments of 31 different woman who can be found in the Bible. These women are found in both the Old and New Testaments. Some have entire books carrying their names such as Ruth and Esther. Others are known only by their location of residence or their societal status. Some were Jewish while others were Gentile. But they all had one thing in common God felt that they were important to His story.

Overall this is an interesting book. I like how each chapter opens with a quoted statement about each featured woman and then the Scripture reference that they are found in. A short biography follows with a how they are important in the plan of humanities redemption.  

If you are someone who likes to read a devotional a day this book would be perfect for a month-long study. Another possibility is for this book is a group Bible study that meets once a week or month where several of the women would be discussed at one time. I highly recommend this book for, however, you plan to read through it. This would also make a nice gift for anyone who enjoys reading and studying the Bible.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Bethany House with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

Powerful Stories That Reveal God's Love and Mercy

The Bible is the story of God's relationship with people--Jews and Gentiles, saints and sinners. From well-known characters like Eve and Esther to those less known like Jochebed and Zipporah, women play a vital role in the biblical drama. Authors Aaron and Elaina Sharp highlight three dozen of the most important women in Scripture, each handpicked by God to play a crucial part in His plan to redeem humanity.

Discover how each woman fits into the overall narrative of God's good news, and let it remind you that their story is also the story of His powerful love for you.

Read the short, lively chapters day by day as a devotional, or use them as a Bible study on your own or with a group.

About the Authors:

Aaron and Elaina Sharp are both Master of Theology graduates of Dallas Theological Seminary. Aaron works for Insight for Living Ministries, and Elaina owns and operates a small business.

Aaron is the author of Everything the Bible Says About Parenting and Children and What Does God Say About That? Elaina writes and develops curriculum for ministries such as Cru. Aaron and Elaina Sharp live in Little Elm, Texas, with their three children.

The Lost Sermons of C.H. Spurgeon ~ Review

The Lost Sermons of C.H. Spurgeon
His Earliest Outlines and Sermons 
Between 1851 and 1854  Volume 2
Edited with introduction and notes by Christian T. George

This book is heavy and I don't mean just the subject matter - this book weighs just over 4 pounds. But when one considers the treasure found between these covers it is hard to believe it weighs so little.

The introduction that opens this book allows the reader to understand the world in which these sermons were written. Surgeon's strong stance against slavery understandably made him an unpopular person in the American South. Don't skip this as it is really interesting and there are some really interesting charts that offer a breakdown of the sermons that are in this volume.

Now you are probably wondering about the sermons. Well, in my opinion, this is what makes this book so great. The original notebook which Charles Spurgeon wrote out his outline and notes is scanned and shown in its current condition. The facing page is the same content typed out so that the reader can easily read what Spurgeon put to paper. There are footnotes following each sermon to explain Surgeon's notes or where further references could be found in other sermons.

This is a great book for one who wants to delve into a study of Spurgeon, his sermons, and his thoughts. And when you first pick up this book ignore all the notes and just read. I went back and forth while reading and if you just read the sermons the first time through it is amazing just who powerful some of these messages are. Read the footnotes and such on a second time through. The book is over 565 pages in length. And don't you just love the artwork of the dust jacket? Well, it is inspired by the actual cover of the notebook that Spurgeon used for these sermons. Rather appropriate don't you agree? And the picture of the front and back cover can be found in this book.

This book is for those who want to read all of Spurgeon's work, the student of Christian history, and pastor who has a library that he uses on a regular basis. This would also make for an interesting Bible study resource. There are two indexes in the back of the book one for Scripture references and the other for subjects. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher BH Academic with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:
In 1857, Charles Spurgeon—the most popular preacher in the Victorian world—promised his readers that he would publish his earliest sermons. For almost 160 years, these sermons have been lost to history. In January 2017, B&H Academic will begin releasing a multi-volume set that includes full-color facsimiles, transcriptions, contextual and biographical introductions, and editorial annotations. Written for scholars, pastors, and students alike, The Lost Sermons of C.H. Spurgeon will add approximately 10 percent more material to Spurgeon’s body of literature and will constitute the first critical edition of any of Spurgeon’s works.

The Engagement Plot ~ Review

The Engagement Plot
By Krista Phillips

Hanna Knight thought she'd be living a happily-ever-after after when she is William Preston picks her as his choice in The Price of Love. But when he makes a comment that trashes her reputation and subjects her to national ridicule Hanna wants nothing to do with him.

But with his job on the line, William has no choice but to repair the damage he has done and ask for Hanna's forgiveness. But Hanna's not sure that she's ready to help William, but when a snowstorm lands them in the headlines yet again Hanna agrees to pretend that she and William are engaged.

Scandal seems determined to dog them as they try to present the appearance of a happily engaged couple. Which isn't that hard as they are both still drawn to the other. But a new scandal is lurking just below the surface, one that could cost Will more than his job or Hanna. Can Hanna and Will get beyond the past and accept help where they least expect it?

The Engagement Plot is a house built on sand that is just waiting for the first little wave to wash out the nonexisting foundation. The hoopla and pressure of living under the ever-watching eye of the public has created a false environment for finding a love worth having. Hanna and Will will have to decide what is important before they can move forward either together or alone. And they will have to return to their faith before that can happen. And they just might need a little help to get there.

This is a fine book to just read but I have to admit reality tv is not my thing (I avoid it totally). And Hanna's shock at the behavior of those involved in the show and the fallout from her appearance should not have been surprised in the least. "Um, hello, reality television." But on the positive Hanna and Will both came to realize that they needed to get their priorities reassessed and determine just what was really important to them. If you like contemporary Christian romance fiction with a lot of dramatics give this book a try. For me, there was too much kissing and toeing the line when it comes to standing true to one's commitments, but then I've been called a Puritan when it comes to dating do's and don't's.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was


About the Book:
Six months ago, William stole Hanna’s heart and shattered it in front of millions of people on a reality TV dating show. When all seems lost, it’s only with help from above that Hanna and Will may find their happily-ever-after.

Out of the Ordinary ~ Review

Out of the Ordinary
Apart from the Crowd #2
By Jen Turano

Let me just start out by saying this is a fun book to read. Gertrude is a delight whom any reader would love to call a friend. This is the second book in the Apart from the Crowd series and just as much fun to read as the first Behind the Scenes.

Miss Gertrude Cadwalader finds herself in the most unusual situations and they are not of her own doing but rather the ill-advised works of her employer Mrs. Davenport. Once again Gertrude finds herself at the mercy of Mrs. Davenport's lack of fashion design and the unlikely victim is Harrison Sinclair's fainting couch aboard his yacht. And Gertrude's predicament allows Mrs. Davenport to partake in her favorite pastime that which involves her reliving others of their possessions.  What follows is a series of unfortunate and unexpected occurrences that finds Gertrude soon to be on the wrong side of the law.

Harrison is determined to right the wrongs and rescue Gertrude from the tangle she finds herself in but his efforts find him misspeaking and hurting Gertrude and her feelings. What follows is a hilarious attempt to undo Harrison's whoops moment. And with the "help" his good friend Asher Rutherford Harrison and Gertrude's potential romance may be stymied before it ever gets a chance to begin. And sweeping a woman off her feet takes on a whole new meaning and should be avoided if you value your life. Yes, it was that bad.

This book is a perfect mood lifter with its hilarious missteps. Gertrude and Harrison are perfect for each other with their quirky personalities, but finding this out might mean ditching their well-meaning friends who seem determined to help them. And Harrison's sisters are quite the threesome who have their own strong opinions on romance and just how it should be achieved or not depending on the sister.

This series is worth reading and if you have yet to read the first book in the series that is fine as you can easily go back and read it at a later date. Out of the Ordinary can be easily read without the backstory that was established in Behind the Scenes.  The author has developed a cast of characters that one looks forward to visiting again in future books.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher Bethany House through their blogger program but was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

"With all the charm of a Regency romance, 

the humor of a drawing room farce, and the 

swoon-worthy delight of a fairy tale, Turano's

 first Apart from the Crowd historical 

absolutely sparkles."

--Publishers Weekly on Behind the Scenes

Working as a paid companion may be quite commonplace, but Miss Gertrude Cadwalader's eccentric employer makes her job unpredictable, to say the least. She finds herself carrying out an array of highly unusual tasks, including wearing peculiar outfits and returning items the woman pilfered. But when the wealthy Mrs. Sinclair catches Gertrude sneaking around the Sinclair yacht with some of the missing items in her possession, she immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair is caught in the middle of a misunderstanding between his mother and Gertrude, but he can't help coming to his friend's defense. Even as he hopes their friendship might become something more, Harrison is unprepared for the outlandish escapades that seem to follow the lovely, anything-but-ordinary Gertrude at every turn.

Child of the River ~ Review

Child of the River
By Irma Joubert

I finished reading Irma Joubert's The Crooked Path and decided I had to read the Child of the River to which is referenced as sharing the story of Persomi and Boelie. Well, what could I do but pick up this book and learn more about these characters? And I was not disappointed - reading the book in an afternoon.

This book is one that has several parts that focus on different stages of Persomi Pieterse's life. Her childhood which was a struggle to rise above the social station she found herself in while dealing with a less than ideal family life (talk major dysfunctional issues). Through hard work, Persomi managed to work her way through high learning while forming friendships that would be with her for life. Then her adult years are shared and her fight for what she feels is right while trying to determine whom she really is.

This short synopsis sounds boring right - but this story is anything but boring. Growing up in South Africa is anything but boring. And during this time the world finds itself in yet another world conflict. A conflict which South Africa should not be caught up in due the geographic location but Persomi's older brother Gerbrand has joined the military to fight with the Allies in the hopes of improving his situation in life. Her friend Boelie is determined to keep South Africa for those who are Afrikaner descent. But Persomi is of the opinion that war and discrimination are wrong. These feelings along with her childhood help her determine her chosen profession - a lawyer.

But standing up for right in the face of laws that try to keep people down based on their skin color or the country of their ancestry is a fight that seems impossible. But impossible has never stopped Persomi and she is determined to prove that everyone has an intrinsic worth.

In this volatile environment with its strict and unbending beliefs can she hope to find the love she seeks? Or will the secrets and scars of the past keep her separated from those whom she calls friend?

This book covers approximately 30 years from the late 1930s to the late 1960s. Unlike Irma Joubert's other two books The Girl From the Train and The Crooked Path, the story stays centered in South Africa. I found the story both moving and interesting. The historical aspects are interesting and the author's attention to detail is excellent. I highly recommend reading all three of these books you will not regret the time spent getting to know this land and the people who call it home.

About the Book:

A compelling coming of age story with an unlikely 

and utterly memorable heroine, Child of the River 

is a timeless tale of heartbreak and triumph set in 

South Africa at the dawn of apartheid.

Persomi is young, white, and poor, born the middle child of illiterate sharecroppers on the prosperous Fourie farm in the South African Bushveld. Persomi’s world is extraordinarily small. She has never been to the local village and spends her days absorbed in the rhythms of the natural world around her, escaping the brutality and squalor of her family home through the newspapers and books passed down to her from the main house and through her walks in the nearby mountains.

Persomi’s close relationship with her older brother Gerbrand and her fragile friendship with Boelie Fourie—heir to the Fourie farm and fortune—are her lifeline and her only connection to the outside world. When Gerbrand leaves the farm to fight on the side of the Anglos in WWII and Boelie joins an underground network of Boer nationalists, Persomi’s isolated world is blown wide open. But as her very small world falls apart, bigger dreams become open to her—dreams of an education, a profession, a native country that values justice and equality, and of love. As Persomi navigates the changing world around her—the tragedies of war and the devastating racial strife of her homeland—she finally discovers who she truly is, where she belongs, and why her life—and every life—matters.

The English language publication of Child of the River solidifies Irma Joubert as a unique and powerful voice in historical fiction.

International bestselling author IRMA JOUBERT was a history teacher for 35 years before she began writing fiction. Her stories are known for their deep insight into personal relationships and rich historical detail. She is the author of eight novels and a regular fixture on bestseller lists in The Netherlands and in her native South Africa. She is the winner of the 2010 ATKV Prize for Romance Novels.

The Crooked Path ~ Review

The Crooked Path
By Irma Joubert

First off I have to say Irma Joubert has a way of writing that touches the soul of the reader. Her writing is alive with the nuances of life - its joys and it pains.

Once again we are taken into a world that is at war and how this affects and shapes the lives of those who are caught up in its destructive forces. In Italy the Romanelli family is about to have all that they have known changed when Hitler's Germany makes its presence known. Military service is a requirement and two of the Romanelli brothers are pressed into service. But the eldest brother Marco hides in the mountains with the family of the woman to whom he is engaged. The years take a toll on the Romanellis and Marco's years of deprivation at the hands of Germany have cost him much. When the dry warmth of South Africa is offered as an option to the restore his precarious health Marco goes joining his younger brother Antonio in this foreign land.

Lettie Louw has always felt that she is a lesser person than her friends. She's never been quite good enough and she's known that love was never meant for her. These feelings pushed her to excel in in her studies and become a doctor. Her skills have her assistance being sought in the care of Marco Romanelli. Marco's health slowly improves under Lettie's direction. But his health will never be fully restored and it is with this understanding that Marco and Lettie open their hearts to the possibility of just what the future holds. The path that has lead them to this point was crooked and the path before them seems equal to what lay behind them.

Life is journey with no guarantees and The Crooked Path fully explores this as life moves on even as heartbreak and joy make their marks on those around them. This is also a story about the value of friends and family in being there for us at the momentous and the ordinary.

This is truly a beautiful and moving story one that will bring tears as the inhumanity of war makes itself known and bring a soft smile at the power of love to heal wounds (and create new ones). Life comes in stages and presents different options that at a different time we may or may not respond in the same manner. This book brought to mind Ecclesiastes 3:1, 6, and 8:
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ...  A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;... A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." KJV

I was provided a complimentary review copy of this book by the publisher through BookLook Bloggers with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

From the bestselling author of The Girl From the Train, comes another compelling coming of age story of delayed love, loss, and reconciliation in WWII-era South Africa.

Lettie has always felt different from and overshadowed by the women around her– this friend is richer, that friend is more beautiful, those friends are closer. Still, she doesn’t let this hold her back. She works hard to apply her mind, trying to compensate for her perceived lack of beauty with diligent academic work and a successful career as a doctor. She learns to treasure her friendships, but she still wonders if any man will ever return her interest.

Marco’s experience in the second world war have robbed him of love and health. When winters in his native Italy prove dangerous to his health even after the war has ended, he moves to South Africa to be with his brother, husband to one of Lettie’s best friends. Marco is Lettie’s first patient, and their relationship grows as she aids him on the road back to restored health.

In the company of beloved characters from The Child of the River, Marco and Lettie find a happiness that neither of them thought possible. With that joy comes pain and loss, but Lettie learns that life—while perhaps a crooked path—is always a journey worth taking.

365 Classic Bedtime Bible Stories ~ Review

365 Classic Bedtime
    Bible Stories
Inspired by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut's Story of the Bible
Illustrations by Alessia Girasole

Looking for a new Bible bedtime devotional for the upcoming year? One that you can share with your little reader? Well, this one might be what you are looking for. The stories start with Creation and continue through Revelation. Each page is one day and is a summarization of a Bible passage. The Bible passage from which each story is taken is referenced before the story is related.

The illustrations are throughout and should capture children's attention. My only complaint with the illustrations is the lack of skin pigmentations. This area of the world was a major trade route so there should have been more racial diversity.

There is an index at the back broken down into Old Testament and New Testament so that one can search for a person, place, or thing based on the Testament.

The book is hardcover with what appears to be a stitched binding. There is a red ribbon place marker attached to the spine so that one's place can be easily marked through the year. This book is aimed more towards younger children, I'm thinking 3 - 8 years of age. This is a time to share with your children so be sure to read the Bible references with your children to add more depth to the story.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:
Your children or grandchildren will delight in this fully-illustrated storybook that brings 365 read-aloud classic Bible stories to life for impressionable young hearts.

Beginning with the creation story, "God Creates the Earth," and ending with "In Eternity with God,” your children will develop faith in an almighty God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, while journeying alongside Bible characters like Samuel, Jonah, Esther, David, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, and many more.