Nothing to Prove: Why We Can Stop Trying So Hard by Jennie Allen

I read Jennie Allen's book Anything a few years ago.  And it was at a pivotal time for me and I felt that God used Jennie's words to speak to me.

That is almost identical to what happened when I read this book, Nothing to Prove.  Recently I feel that I have been striving to have God listen.  To be good enough to make Him hear me.  But it doesn't feel like it is working.  And then I read Nothing to Prove.

I don't know what you are going through right now, but somehow I can bet that you might be tired.  Tired of drama, work, kids, marriage, of trying and trying and trying. 

This book is for you.  Jennie writes with honesty and beauty but she also will challenge you as she loves you. Isn't that the kind of friend we all want?  One that loves us where we are but won't leave us there?

Are you ready to move beyond yourself but to do it in a way that isn't exhausting?  I am but I had no idea what that would look like.  My plate is already so full. 

This book is for you.  As you walk through the reflection questions that Jennie gives you she takes you to the feet of Jesus where you can hear His voice saying, "Abide in Me."  And then...page by page you find you are abiding and your heart and creativity have wings to see what God has for you to do.

I know my review isn't going to do justice to the profound beauty and impact of the book, but I hope it helps you want to read it. 

I've pre-ordered several copies for friends and I know this will be a book I keep stocked to hand out to others.  It's that powerful.

You should read it.  I am so thankful I did.

I received this book from the publishers. All opinions expressed are my own.

Beyond Suffering Bible

Here is my opinion.  I do feel that so many of the topics were great for all type of suffering.  However, it did feel slanted toward physical suffering (which is a GREAT and huge need to help!) but for those suffering emotionally and not physically sometimes it came across as no enough just to suffer emotionally that you could only suffer emotionally if you also were suffering physically.  I think that this Bible is wonderful but I don't know if I would recommend it to a friend suffering from depression alone.

A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz

From the publisher:
On the vast, uncharted Kentucky frontier of the 1770s, Temperance Tucker has learned to be fleet of foot, accurate with her rifle, and silent about the past. But her family secrets complicate her growing attraction to a handsome Virginia land surveyor with a harsh history of his own. Will the hurts and hardships of the past prevent them from a fulfilling future?

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Laura Frantz has a way of writing that makes things vivid and real.  I admire her writing and enjoy her style of storytelling.  

This novel doesn't hold back on the harsh and violent ways of those early frontier times.  So be aware of that before you read this book.  Also, I did feel it was one-sided about the violence of the Native Americans toward the White settlers--because as history has shown us both were cruel to each other.  So I was disappointed in that.

However, knowing that the story is told from white settlers view points you can see how she may have decided to focus on just that.  

Those who enjoy great story-telling and the early frontier time period will enjoy this book.

I received this book free from the publishers. All opinions expressed are my own. 

For the Record by Regina Jennings

From the publisher:
Betsy Huckabee might be a small-town girl, but she has big-city dreams. Writing for her uncle's newspaper will never lead to independence, and the bigger newspapers don't seem interested in the Hart County news. Trying a new approach, Betsy pens a romanticized serial for the ladies' pages, and the new deputy provides the perfect inspiration for her submissions. She'd be horrified if he read her breathless descriptions of him, but these articles are for a newspaper far away. No one in Pine Gap will ever know.
 
Deputy Joel Puckett didn't want to leave Texas, but this job in tiny Pine Gap is his only shot at keeping his badge. With masked marauders riding every night, his skills and patience are tested, but even more challenging is the sassy journalist lady chasing him.
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Regina Jennings has written a book that is part of a series but definitely is a stand-alone book if one wants to read it that way.

Betsy is a lively character and is a funny character to read.  Joel is a strong and serious character.  It is interesting to read their banter and learn more about the town of Pine Gap.  

I had a hard time getting into the characters however.  The setting was interesting and the situation was different than any I had read before but I just couldn't get into it.  However, I am sure many readers will enjoy this book.

I received this book free from the publisher. I all opinions are my own. 

Where Does Love Hide by Mary Manz Simon Illustrated by Hannah Wood

I am so excited to share about this book.  When I picked it I had no idea how much I was going to love it.  Mary Manz Simon has such a creative idea.  The book shares different places that love "hides" or isn't really there until you do something.  On each page there are different ways that children can show or receive love.  It is hidden under a flap and then when the flap is lifted someone is shown doing the action of love. Each of these are ways that a child can understand and do these things.  And for each of the ways love can be shown, there is a Bible verse.

This book is child friendly and yet has deep purpose. I can't wait to share this more with others!

I received this book from the publisher.  I was not required to write a positive review, all opinions are my own.