Finding God in the Ruins by Matt Bays

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Finding God in the Ruins(David C. Cook, March 2016)

If God is love, why do we hurt so much?

When the reality of your pain doesn’t line up with what you’ve been taught in church, then what? While many abandon their faith or embrace hopelessness, it is possible to discover the God who heals your heart in the midst of the pain.

Matt Bays has been where you are. His unforgettable stories of loss and healing will usher you into a life where gratitude overpowers anger, hope overcomes despair, and hunger for God replaces indifference to God. With a fresh and original writing style, Bays demonstrates that true redemption is far more powerful than the temporary fixes of sanitized Christianity.

My opinion: What a wonderful book dealing with something so many of us struggle with, where is God in all of the pain? This book doesn't shy away from the hard questions but offers well founded, seasoned advice. The author has faced many difficult things in his lifetime so he is certainly speaking from experience and is not just some trite answer.  It is saddening to read how much Matt Bays has been through and the fact that he has been able to use that pain and sorrow for the Lord's glory is a huge testimony about the power of God. This book is at times difficult to read, but it is a wonderful read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Beauty begins by Chris and Megan Shook Alpha

Living in a society that is obsessed with beauty can be absolutely brutal, our society is not kind to women who do not measure up to the impossible standard set before us.This book explores the roots of our obsession with beauty and focuses on us instead realizing that we are enough by the Lord's standards and that we should find our value in His great love that is unchanging and steadfast.
This book is a great encouragement for any women and really hits home with such great insights and truths.
I received a copy for my honest opinion.

Catch a star by Tamika Catchings

I am not a huge fan of basketball so I wasn't even sure who Tamika Catchings was, but apparently she is pretty big in the basketball world! She has a very inspiring story of a life that has overcome adversity to thrive. Tamika certainly did not have an easy childhood but she did not allow that to overwhelm her and she chose to push through. This book would be a great inspiration to anyone, but particularity young people who face so many challenges, many that the author addresses and can relate to. From humble beginnings to being a Olympic gold medalist this book is a great and inspiring read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Your're already amazing by Holley Gerth

What a great workbook filled with so many life truths that are easily drowned out in this world. Broken down into 6 easily to accomplish and very inspiring sections this book is just perfect for a women' group or to study on ones own. It is so easy to get stuck in a rut and get down about ones self and life in general but this book is filled with practical and very applicable truths that help get out of the rut and towards the life they are truly intended to have.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synced by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

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Synced: Living Connected to the Heart of Jesus (New Hope, February 2016)

Prayer can become extraordinary when we live connected to the heart of Jesus.

Synced encourages you to emulate the way Jesus lived His life. With real-life stories of people walking closely with Jesus, finding themselves in the right place at the right time, readers are challenged to examine what staying in step with the Spirit looks like. National best-selling author and known prayer expert, Jennifer Kennedy Dean, uses the familiar passage of the Lord’s Prayer as anchor points to present the way Jesus lived His life in step with the Father through prayer.

Every moment is pregnant with purpose. Every moment is drenched in power. Prayer is no longer the means by which you attempt to get God to perform for you and becomes, instead, the means by which you connect with His heart and mind. A praying life is a life of peace and soul-rest. A praying life is lived in sync with the heart of Jesus.

My opinion: I felt like this book was particularly fitting as I am celebrating the Easter season. This gem of a book is filled with such insight and wisdom. i love how the author bases the book on the Lord's prayer and how relevant it is to our own lives.  This book has a rich and deep basis in the scriptures and really focuses on the vast importance of pray both in our own lives and those around us. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa

I was intrigued by this book, the front was suspenseful looking and the synopsis on the back was cryptic making you want to read it. It looked very different from the type of books I usually find myself reading and it truly was. The writing was engaging and interesting, it really takes awhile to  figure out what the heck is going on. I wasn't crazy about Annabel Lee's dialog as it was written to try to mimic a young person from down South and it got kind of annoying.
It had a good mystery and suspense but it didn't hold my interest as much as I would have liked. It had all of the components of a great story but fell a little flat for me. That being said I am sure many will find it more to their liking.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion

A fool and his Monet by Sandra Orchard

Being an art fanatic who is especially fond of Monet I was beyond eager to read this book as it looked fascinating and fun. I have to start out by saying that it did not live up to expectations, unfortunately the book was more about Serena and all of the super amazing guys that like her than it was about any Monet. I was hoping for a little more description of the artwork and the art world in general but that was barely touched.
The character of Serena was amusing and likable, she was pretty down to earth and the dialog was snappy and witty. The mystery was intriguing and well developed. It certainly was an easy, enjoyable read, not quite what I was expecting, but it wasn't bad. I would give it a solid 4 stars.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.