Divine Appointments Book Review

Josie Brooks is a fast-moving, pragmatic forty-seven year old independent systems analyst and consultant who moves from company to company making recommendations for streamlining operations. She faces professional and personal decisions in a militaristic manner. What does she do about hot flashes? She researches approaches. Josie has no friends, calls her dad by his first name, and sells her mother's dining room furniture.

Everything changes when she purchases a snowglobe with what appears to be running water in a serene spring scene. Josie finds herself thirsting for relationships. She encounters misperceptions about her family that were responsible for forming her life-attitudes and decisions. What should she do about this overwhelming thirst?

Charlene Ann Baumbich has created realistic, lively characters such as Lyle Waters the "sappy....bleeding heart" and Frank the office gossip. The creative imagery depicted surrounding the snowglobe is masterful.

I received this complimentary copy of "Divine Appointments" from Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing Group for the purpose of review. I loved the book so much that I read it twice. It reminds us that everything is not as it first appears, especially people. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about life journeys.

Tyndale 30 day giveaway

To launch a new book enewsletter, Tyndale is giving away books every day for 30 days. All bloggers have to do is submit their information and choose a book. They are also giving Bibles to the first 100 people who fill out the form and submit it. I previewed the newsletter format and just know that I will participate. You can preview books, share them, and access book guides for your book clubs. Check out the site!

"Left At The Altar" Booksneeze Review

I received a complimentary copy of Kimberley Kennedy's book "Left At the Altar" from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of review. The book is 179 pages long. It is the story of the author's true account of her experience of being left at the altar. She describes the hurt and humiliation associated with her experience. As a television personality, she could not escape comments and reminders of her hurt. The book has interesting additions, such as the perspectives of family members and men who have ended relationships with women in not so courteous manners. The author was honest enough to admit she should have seen it coming and that she had not sought God's wisdom concerning the union. The author gives practical and biblical ways to come through the hurt and to become stronger. I applaud her for revealing very personal information in order to help others who go through the same or similar events in their lives. The rejection does not have to be limited to those who are left at the altar. As anyone living today knows, there are those of us who have lost jobs, homes, and other financial resources, going through rejection is as emotionally wrenching as grief over an ill or lost loved one. I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone, not just someone who was "Left At The Altar."

Seeds of Turmoil Booksneeze Review

I received a complimentary copy of Seeds of Turmoil The Biblical Roots of the Inevitable Crisis in the Middle East by Bryant Wright from Thomas Nelson Publishers through booksneeze for the purpose of review. The book is 222 pages in length. The author provides information of how the middle east issues began. He discussed in length biblical figures that set our modern day middle east conflicts in motion. The book provides perspectives of all those involved in the crisis and provides timelines to follow. I have always wondered how we got to this point and the book provided the answers to my questions in detail. The book provides historical and geographical information. I enjoyed the book very much. The study and discussion guide was helpful. I would recommed this book to others.

The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask Review

I received a complimentary copy of The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask by Mark Mittelberg from Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of review. The book is 327 pages long. The author utilizes the results of a survey to determine questions most often asked of Christians. The author uses historical and scientific information to support christian views taken from the Bible. The author suggested Christians be prepared to answer questions by studying the Bible and other resources and by praying. The author provides group discussion questions at the end of the book as well as the resources he used for the book. The book was very good. The author has provided information that I always looked for but could not find. I would recommend this book as a must read for all Christians and for anyone who wants to know why Christians believe the Bible is fact and not just allegories.

"Faithful" Booksneeze review

I received a free copy of Kim Cash Tate's book "Faithful" from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of review. The book is 296 pages long. It is an inspirational book describing the challenges of faith the three main characters encounter. The characters were well-developed and believable. The balance of dialogue and description made the scenes flow easily. The characters were easy to follow without confusion. I read the book in three hours. The book contained laughter, tears, joy, disillusionment, and validation. "Faithful" is entertaining and inspirational. The trials and joys of family were well-depicted. I felt that the author inspired me to take this journey through life with faith in the driver's seat; to pray without ceasing; and to wait actively upon the Lord to work in His time. There was one scene that felt superfluous. I do not understand the need for the Greek 101 lesson. A layman's approach would have better flow. I enjoyed the book and will recommend it to other readers.

"You Can Be Everything God Wants You to Be"-Booksneeze review

I received a free copy of Max Lucado's book called "You Can Be Everything God Wants You to Be" from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of review. The book is 127 pages long. It is a small book with a lot of inspiration and motivation. The author calls on the reader to delve into personal history to discover the talents God has provided. The goal is to turn those God-given talents into a profession that you will enjoy and bring glory to God. I loved the book. It appeared to be marketed for graduates, but I felt the book has a wider audience in today's world where so many are unemployed and returning to the workforce after retirement. I also felt the author could maximize the effectiveness for the reader by adding a workbook component that would help the reader discover talents. The author could recommend an internet search of occupational classification websites to match talents and job possibilities. I read the book three times because I did not want to miss one detail.