Lighten Up (Body and Soul Series) by Angela Ruth Strong

I was bracing myself for a raw, gritty novel about adultery and the ramifications of adultery in a christian setting. This was not the case with this novel. The story is focused primarily on the daughter of a fallen pastor, who struggles with forgiveness and finds herself understanding the issues surrounding adultery/wanting someone else's spouse througout the book. The e-book format was very easy to read, and I enjoyed the story and the characters. The author did a great job of showing the reader that we are all human and we all fail to some degree. I think that this would be a wonderful book for a teen or young adult, because it is so clean. Teens and young adults would benefit from the message presented in this book - the subtle statements about dating and not trying to steal someone else's boyfriend/spouse etc. are great! The subject matter can be raw in and of itself, but there is nothing in this book that even gets close to being inappropriate. If you want a fast, easy, and very clean read with a christian message this is the book for you!

Where God Finds You by Anita Higman

Where God Finds You (40 devotions bringing Bible characters to life) by Anita Higman, is a very unique, and well written book. The author does something I have never seen before. She has hand picked forty characters out of the Bible, and has created a fictional account of their circumstances (making sure to not write anything into the stories that do not line up with the Bible). At the end of each brief story, she then inserts the bible passages where she created the story from so that the reader can fully read the verses, and gain a more comprehensive and thought provoking perspective. As an example, she has a chapter titled, "Pilate's wife." This is based on the scripture from Matthew 27:19, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man." The author then creates a fictional account of what could have happened in Pilate's wife's bed chamber regarding her reaction to the dream she had as stated in the Bible. The author then has a section within the chapter that speaks to the reader about how this particular incident is applicable in our lives today.For instance, she points out that we all have dreams and possibly some supernatural things that may happen in our lives so that God (or possibly the Devil) can have opportunities to influence us. She finishes each chapter with questions regarding the reading that are truly thought provoking. I read in the author's notes in the back of the book that she smelled myrrh to get her mind and senses into the times that these characters lived in. As you can see from this statement, this author is trying to excite all of the senses as she tries to create an atmosphere of reality for the reader. I really believe this book breaks the mold of the typical devotional. Sometimes devotionals all seem very similar to me in the way that they are written, but not this one. If you want a creative, thought provoking devotional based on characters in actual scriptures, then this is the book for you. If you want to think out of the box, this is a book you will enjoy. It is around 233+ pages, so it is a nice size, but not overwhelming. I received this book from the publisher. 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".

Graceful (Letting go of your try-hard life) by Emily P. Freeman

I had read the adult version of this book, and my teenage daughter saw this title and wanted to read it. She then chose to do a book report on it, which I thought was fantastic! This book is based on the fact that (pre-teen and teenagers) base their self worth on how others perceive them,and how they themselves feel based on other's expectations etc. My daughter conveyed to me that she really enjoyed how the author kept telling the reader that they are valuable just as they are, are there was no need to create a false self, and/or wear a false mask to portray someone that you're not. My daughter doesn't have a self confidence issue, but she expressed to me that some of her friends do, and that this book would be extrememely helpful to them is showing them their self worth. The book is very good at directing the reader to focus on their identity in Christ, not on what the world thinks and expects. I was very proud of my daughter that she chose to share this book with her classmates, and I believe she made an impact with the poster she made about this book and it's message. I would recommend that parents or grandparents or youth group leaders buy this book. It would also be a great small group study book for teenage girls. I received this book from the publisher. 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".

Call of a coward: The God of Moses and the Middle-class housewife

This is an insightful book to delve deep into the question of "would you follow God's call on your life, even if it means giving up almost everything you know?". The author of this story shares her real-life experience in giving up what she had for something that she didn't know, but knew that it was God is in control of her familiy's life. ( This story is about being called as a missionary in a third world country). I liked the concept of this book because it makes the reader ponder your own life, and how you would respond to something like this - if this situation was presented to you, would you go for it? Even though I read alot, I believe that this book is an easy read. Some of the details could have been developed further, but overall the major concepts are addressed, and the issues are well presented. If you want to read something that challenges your thoughts and will make you consider or dream about what God may have for you, this is the book for you! I received this book from the publisher. 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".

My Journey to Heaven by Marvin J. Besteman

This book can be very comforting for someone who has lost someone, and if closure is needed. The author, Marvin, writes about his personal experience with Heaven when he temporarily visited during an illness. Marvin is shown to be an educated, sweet, godly man, who had no agenda other than to share the amazing things that he saw and felt. I was especially touched when he recounted what he saw regarding babies - his statements are interesting and may give some peace to someone who has lost a child, even right after conception. I also was moved when I read about his very special bond with his son-in-law, how he had called Marv "dad", and how he became so ill so quickly, and was then gone. Marv was able to see his son-in-law jumping up and down and totally healed and joyful, and that alone inspires a great longing for the wonders of Heaven. This book is very easy to read, and would be a good choice if you or someone you know needs comfort or hope for what happens to believers in Christ after death. 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".

Fatal Distractions, conquering destructive temptations by Kay Arthur

This is a bible study that focuses on six of the seven "deadly" sins. This study can be used individually, or in a group setting. I thought that the study was well laid out, and right to the point (which means right to the heart!). The format is such that in a group setting you don't have to do homework, but it is set up that you are diligently focusing on the "sin" you are discussing, learning about bible verses that address that particular sin, and reflecting on what you think about it, and how it is applicable in your life. I did this study on my own, and I really liked it. It probably would have been better in a group setting, as I went through it very fast and did not need the instructions like "circle this" "underline that". It is my recommendation that this is used in a group setting for maximum benefit, although God's word does not return void in any setting, so no matter how or where this study is done, it will have great benefit. 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".

Grieving Gods Way (A 90 day devotional) by Margaret Brownley

I decided to give this book to my friend. The reason I did this is because I previewed it, and decided it was worth a try to help her, as she just lost a close brother to suicide. When previewing this book, I loved how the author immediately relates to the reader because she lost her son. I loved her writing style, and how the book is put together with 90 days of thoughts/poems/statements to come alongside the reader in their grief. Death is a hard topic to speak to anyone about, but I felt like this book was a very nice way to say that I cared enough to try to help her, but not too much of a in your face "get over your grief" type of book. I don't think that the author is saying that this is the only way that God wants you to grieve, I think that she was just trying to focus it on a Christian audience, who may be more receptive to her messages throughout the book. As this book will probably not be THE book to help a person get over their grief, I only gave it three stars. As a gift it is lovely, it is not deep, it is not backed by psychology. It is just nice. 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".