Freefall to Fly by Rebekah Lyons - REVIEWED

About the Book: (from Tyndale)
Women today are fading. In a female culture built on Photoshopped perfection and Pinterest fantasies, we’ve lost the ability to dream our own big dreams. So busy trying to do it all and have it all, we’ve missed the life we were really designed for. And we are paying the price. The rise of loneliness, depression, and anxiety among the female population in Western cultures is at an all-time high. Overall, women are two and a half times more likely to take antidepressants than men. What is it about our culture, the expectations, and our way of life that is breaking women down in unprecedented ways?

In this vulnerable memoir of transformation, Rebekah Lyons shares her journey from Atlanta, Georgia, to the heart of Manhattan, where she found herself blindsided by crippling depression and anxiety. Overwhelmed by the pressure to be domestically efficient, professionally astute, and physically attractive, Rebekah finally realized that freedom can come only by facing our greatest fears and fully surrendering to God’s call on our lives. This book is an invitation for all women to take that first step toward freedom. For it is only when we free-fall that we can truly fly.

My Thoughts:

“I was digging in my heels, saying, “No way! I’m not crossing!” (p.33)

I recognize this fit! I’ve thrown the same fit when God asked me to enter a freefall and trust Him.  Rebekah Lyons “journey to a life of meaning”  has been balm to my soul.  We serve the most amazing Savior!!  I am so THANKFUL that He is God and I am not!! I am so thankful that He is long-suffering and that He is ever faithful…even when I’m digging my heals in!

I cannot begin to tell you what a God-appointment this book has been in my life.  I’m actually a little late posting about it, but I won’t apologize for that, because this book came right on time in my life! Once again, I’m bleeding a highlighter dry on my second time through.  Rebekah shares her journey in very candid honesty, and I daresay there will by many, many people whose hearts echo the longing God birthed within her heart.

My prayer is that I take what I have learned and practically apply it in my own life.  Thank you, Rebekah for obeying God and writing this book!!

About the Author:

REBEKAH LYONS is a mother of three, wife of one, and dog walker of two living in New York City. She's an old soul with a contemporary, honest voice who puts a new face on the struggles women face as they seek to live a life of meaning. As a self-confessed mess, Rebekah wears her heart on her sleeve, a benefit to friends and readers alike. She serves alongside her husband, Gabe, as cofounder of Q Ideas, an organization that helps leaders winsomely engage culture.

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Water Spot Mothering by Cynthia Ruchti

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother’s Day blog series—a nine-day celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today’s best writers (Tricia Goyer, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Beth Vogt, Lesli Westfall, and more). I hope you’ll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother’s Day.

AND . . . do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful handcrafted pearl necklace and a JOYN India bag. Enter at the bottom of this post. The contest runs 5/4-5/13, and the winner will be announced on 5/14. Contest is only open to U.S. residents.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info, subscribe to our blog, and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith to help support Pearl Girls™.

And to all you MOMS out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

~

Water Spot Mothering by Cynthia Ruchti

For years, a friend and I met weekly for prayer and Bible study. More than twenty years older, Jackie often prayed for her high school children while I prayed for my toddler children who were supposed to be napping.

As any mother will attest, when we get serious about praying for our children, we can find plenty to pray about.

Jackie and I often laid our Bibles in front of us, open on the table. The day I learned the meaning of water spot mothering, Jackie and I had prayed intensely for our children and their wide variety of crises—large and small. We prayed about their uncertain futures and the certainty that God loved them even more than we did. Tears formed, unbidden, as we poured our hearts out to God.

A series of whispers from the stairway told me my children had found dozens of ways to bypass their naps. But they’d grown to respect the time I prayed with my friend. Even at their young ages, they waited patiently for the “Amen” before interrupting.

When Jackie left and life pulled me into other things, my Bible remained open on the dining room table. I walked through the room a short time later to find my four-year-old daughter Amy kneeling on a chair, tenderly flipping through the pages of my Bible. I knew she was unable to read more than the simplest words on the page, so I asked, “Amy, what are you doing, honey?”

Her answer resonates now, decades later. She said, “I’m looking for the tears.”

She knew I’d prayed for her. Finding the water spots, the tear stains, meant something to her young heart. She wanted to see evidence that my prayers for her had moved me to tears.

How triple true that would be through her teen years! We were just getting started on the water spot mothering concept.

I’ve relived that scene many times since that afternoon. My daughter bent over my Bible, her tiny hands turning the pages reverently, her eyes searching for a wrinkle in the page, looking for the assurance that I cared so deeply, prayed so fervently, and wasn’t afraid to let the tears fall on the sustaining resource for parenting and all of life—God’s Word.

Water spot mothering. Praying with the Bible open. Letting the tears fall on the pages. I wear the picture of my daughter kneeling on the chair, bent over my Bible, close to my heart, like a silver locket I click open to remind me of my primary responsibility as her mom…even now.

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Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her fiction, nonfiction, and speaking events for women or for writers. Her recent release—the novel, When the Morning Glory Blooms, observes the heart-and-faith journeys of three eras of unwed moms. Her July release—the nonfiction book Ragged Hope: Surviving the Fallout of Other People’s Choices—touches on life circumstances that send us to tear-hemmed prayer for those we love. Connect with her at www.cynthiaruchti.com, Facebook, Twitter, or other network spots.

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It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist - REVIEWED

About the Book:  

A transporting historical novel about a promising young inventor, his struggle with loss, and the attractive teacher who changes his life, all set against the razzle-dazzle of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.

Gambling everything, including the family farm, Cullen McNamara travels to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with his most recent invention. But the noise in the Fair's Machinery Palace makes it impossible to communicate with potential buyers. In an act of desperation, he hires Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip-reading.

The young teacher is reluctant to participate, and Cullen has trouble keeping his mind on his lessons while intently watching her lips. Like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, he is caught in a whirl between his girl back home, his dreams as an inventor, and his unexpected attraction to his new tutor. Can he keep his feet on the ground, or will he be carried away?

Purchase copy HERE!

My Thoughts:

Cullen McNamara and Della Wentworth have very different reasons for attending the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893.  Cullen’s father has risked essentially everything to give his son the opportunity to realize his dream – a  dream Cullen doesn’t really have the courage to pursue.  Della is representing a group of deaf children and the school that is trying to teach them the skill of lip-reading so they may lead a “normal” life.  Neither Cullen or Della realize that they possess something of unique value – for themselves or for each other.  Their road to discovery is fascinating!!

Deeanne Gist writes a historical romance like none other.  If you want to really feel like you visited the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, then her novel will take you there!  You will experience this adventure through the lens of Cullen – a very unsure-of-himself albeit brilliant inventor.  You’ll also see the wonder of the fair through Della’s eyes as well.  She doesn’t know quite what to make of the farmer from North Carolina!  Their experiences are captivating in every sense of the word, and you will literally lose track of time when you begin reading this novel.

Gist doesn’t allow her characters to travel their paths void of obstacles or challenges! Both Dell and Cullen have plenty of both! At one point, you will weep over some of their experiences!  Your tears will give you insight and perspective about the time period and the sacrifices that were made to bring us into the 21^st century a little safer!  

Oh, and as the story progresses, hang onto your heart! It will surly gallop in unexpected and delightful directions!  I adored this novel, and I think you will too! Make the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair the first stop on your Summer Reading list!

About the Author:

Deeanne Gist---known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee---has rocketed up bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very fun, very original historicals. She has received numerous RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, and rave reviews. Deeanne has a background in education and journalism and a degree from Texas A&M. She has written for People, Parents, and Parenting. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and has four grown children. She has a very active online community on her website atIWantHerBook.com and atFacebook.com/DeesFriends. 

It Happened at the Fair by Deenane Gist - CONTEST!!!

Deeanne Gist is celebrating the release of It Happened at the Fair with an iPad Mini Giveaway and a Live Author Chat Webcast event {5/22}!

  One "fair" winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A $25 iTunes gift card

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 21st. Winner will be announced at the "It Happened at the Fair" Live Webcast Event on May 22nd. Connect with Deeanne for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Deeanne will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of It Happened at the Fair and join Deeanne and friends on the evening of May 22nd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 22nd!

How I Learned to Give Up Control by Sue Edwards

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother’s Day blog series—a nine-day celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today’s best writers (Tricia Goyer, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Beth Vogt, Lesli Westfall, and more). I hope you’ll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother’s Day.

AND . . . do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful handcrafted pearl necklace and a JOYN India bag. Enter at the bottom of this post. The contest runs 5/4-5/13, and the winner will be announced on 5/14. Contest is only open to U.S. residents. If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info, subscribe to our blog, and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith to help support Pearl Girls™.

And to all you MOMS out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

~

How I Learned to Give Up Control by Sue Edwards

I'm one of those mothers who would like to control everything in my children's lives. You may be too, all out of the best intentions. I tried frantically to do that for many years until God grabbed my attention and wrestled my control issues from my clenched fists. It happened this way.

My youngest daughter attended a large university where campus housing was at a premium. Her second year she was accepted into one of the nicest dorms on campus, but the rule was that you could either choose the room or the roommate of your choice but not both. Well, I had heard horror stories of what happened when you roomed with some girls--like men in the room, and I turned into mother bear. I was not going to allow my child to take pot luck in roommates, nor were we willing to give up that choice room.

I had heard that if your child had a learning disability they would ditch the rule. So I decided to make my case with the administrator who could fix this unfair situation. All week, I was on the phone long distance climbing my way up the ladder to the gentleman who could give my daughter the room and roommate she deserved.

And finally, I was on the phone with him. We talked for a few minutes, and then he asked me, "Does your daughter have a learning disability?" I answered rather indignantly, "Well, I prefer not to label people." That did it. He bought it. I had done the impossible. I called my daughter, she turned cart wheels on the other end of the phone, and we rejoiced together.

Only the roommate she had chosen, the dear Christian girl from her church, did not turn out to be the roommate she expected. In fact, she did have men in the room, a lot. And she went home at Christmas under suspicious circumstances. All fall I had to endure calls from my daughter who was trying to figure out how to navigate this awkward situation. And it was my fault. Some of us are stubborn and God needs a two by four to get our attention, and break us of our control issues. This was that time for me, and for my daughter. Now, when we are tempted to take control instead of trusting God, we look at each other, remember, smile, and let go.

God knows what he is doing in your life, my life, and the lives of our children. And he loves our children more than we do, as impossible as that may sound. So trust him, follow him. Two by fours are rather painful. You won't regret trusting your Sovereign Father who has your, and your children's, best interest at heart.

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Dr. Sue Edwards has over thirty-five years experience as a Bible teacher, overseer of ministries to women, and author. Now, as a full-time professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, she equip men and women for future ministry all over the world. And women everywhere enjoy learning the Scriptures in face to face groups as well as an online community using her Bible studies, the Discover Together Series. To join the online Bible study community or to converse with Sue, go to Facebook.com/discovertogetherseries. She is currently working on a book with Barbara Neumann on mentoring millennials. Married for forty years, she and David are the parents of two married daughters and the grandparents of five. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Past Darkness by Laurel Woiwode - REVIEWED

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Past Darkness Crossway (April 30, 2013) by Laurel Woiwode

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laurel Woiwode graduated with honors from Jamestown College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in both English and History. She works with ESL students, writes movie reviews at reelquickie.areavoices.com, works on writing and editing projects, and is always ready for outdoor adventures. Laurel grew up in rural North Dakota, has had an avid interest in animals, nature, and literature since childhood, and she is the author of Past Darkness.




ABOUT THE BOOK

Gabrielle Larson is an average, 15 year old girl living in Chicago when tragedy strikes. In the aftermath, she is forced to relocate to rural North Dakota and henceforth spends the next chapter of her life learning to cope with trials involving everything from family to faith. Laurel Woiwode, daughter of critically acclaimed novelist Larry Woiwode, offers here a moving story that will be appreciated by female and male readers alike. Past Darkness is not preachy or heavy-handed, but rather a touching story about the importance of family, the power of music, and the ever-present mercy of God.



My Thoughts:

“Why did you leave me alone? 
  Nature is the echo of my emptiness.
  I am alone.”  (p. 86)

Gabrielle Larson’s life takes a tragic turn when she is but fifteen years old.  Past Darkness  is the story of her journey out of tragedy.  What she finds on the other side isn’t found quickly nor easily.  I was actually surprised at how much time this story covered.  In fact, I guess my only complaint about the novel is that I felt a bit rushed from one point in time to another.  I would have been better satisfied with a longer story and more time spent getting to know Gabrielle as she grew into adulthood.

However, I think the target audience is the young adult market, so the length of the novel makes sense from that point of view.  I think that Laruel Woiwode is a talented writer, and I enjoyed my brief time with Gabrielle.  Her story echoes some powerful and universal truths about the choices we all must make at some point in our lives. Gabrielle navigated her troubled waters with as much or more strength that most kids I know.  I saw a lot of my younger self reflected in her heart.

I think Past Darkness is a powerful and significant novel to offer the young adult market.  I can only encourage Laurel to write faster!  This is a beautiful story!

If you would like to read the first chapter of Past Darkness, go HERE,

Darkness Before Dawn by Ace Collins - Reviewed

About the Book: (from Abingdon Press)

Will grief push Meg over the edge?

On the same night she discovers she is pregnant, twenty-eight-year-old nurse Meg Richards's husband is killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken teen. James Thomas comes from one of the most influential families in the community. He's a star athlete and glamour boy at the local high school. But the accident he caused will change his life---and Meg's future---forever.

Angered by her senseless loss and facing life as a single mother, Meg blames God for what has happened and considers a decision that could change her life even further. Enraged by the brutal trial and the court's decision, Meg starts down a frightening path of retribution. When the opportunity for revenge comes unexpectedly, will Meg follow through? Or will the remnants of her faith lead her in a different direction?

My Thoughts:

“What I displayed wasn’t love, it was pure, selfish hate.”  (p.327)

Ace Collins novel, Darkness Before Dawn, examines how hate, and the lack of love, affects lives.  Yes, there is a vast difference in the two situations.  The changes wrought in the life of the characters in this story is vivid and dramatic, and no matter your approach to the situation presented in this novel, you will examine your own heart and pause to consider whether or not you have allowed the poison of hate to affect your life and the life of those with which your share your life journey.

Meg Richards finds herself facing a challenge that would throw just about anyone into the depths of despair.  Meg allows herself to be pulled beyond despair into an abyss of revenge and hate like nothing she has ever known.  I think it bordered on psychotic at some points.  But that’s not the point.  The point is that Meg made the choice to blame God and turn from her faith when she faced the nightmare of losing a loved one to the carelessness of a drunk driver.  Her choice cost her, and many others, a great deal of pain.

However, she is given the chance to make different choices, and the effect of those decisions have profound, and I daresay, eternal consequences.  The story ends in a powerful, life-changing way, and I promise you it’s a story you don’t want to miss! It is realistic, compelling, and ultimately suspenseful. I was drawn in from the first pages and remained captivated until I reached the final sentence! This is a great, thought-provoking read!

About the Author:

Ace Collins is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than 60 titles, including The Stories Behind The Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, Farraday Road, and Jefferson Burke and the Secret of the Scroll. Ace frequently speaks across the country and on radio and has appeared on national television shows, including Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN, Fox and Friends, Entertainment Tonight, The Early Showand more. When not writing, he works as a magazine editor and graphic designer, as well as host for a charity organization radio and television broadcast. Ace and his wife, Kathy, are based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.