Fire Dancer

Fire Dancer by Colleen Coble

Coble has woven a story of intrigue, suspense, and love… She sets you turning the pages and you won’t want to stop till the end. Tess is a smoke jumper who is unraveling the mystery of her parent’s death, dealing with attacks against her and her family, learning to trust and to love and finding secrets all around. Jump in!

Computer Trouble

We have been having some computer problems – o’ joy! (humm not)… Any who, our computer is going in for checkup and will probably have to stay overnight or longer…. Once it is all better and I have it back I will post on what I have been reading… I will just have to remember to take notes! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Violette Between By Alison Strobel

Wow! This story took me by storm… it started off slowly drawing me in like a gentle rain and then it had me gripping the book until the end! I read it in less than 3 hours! Wonderfully written and very touching… Join these characters as they journey through trials, loss, hope, love, fragile trust and faith that will not fail. Absolutely wonderful!

Twilight By Kristen Heitzmann

Twilight is the story of learning to love and to trust… Cal is a firefighter dealing with a tragedy that has altered his life and the reemergence of an old flame. Laurie (the old flame) is back in town with her two children and danger following her… A story about life with all the ups and downs, the flaws, sins and things we try to run from and what we should be running to – the open arms of Jesus, the only One who can heal us inside and out, making us whole.

The New Six-Point Plan for Raising Happy, Healthy Children

The New Six-Point Plan for Raising Happy, Healthy Children by John Rosemond

You may recall me mentioning this book in an earlier post on what I am reading. I have finished reading said book and I am ready to tell you that I would recommend it. Although I might not be 100% on board with all of it, I do agree with and see the truth in the vast majority of what he is recommending. Not only that but we are implementing those things and already have seen good results. The nice thing about this book is that it isn’t all talk about higher parenting without definite ways to go about doing it. He gives you clear guidance and boundaries… and there are at the end of each chapter Questions and Answers that are very helpful (questions from parents).

Although this is not a Christian parenting book it does line up with the Christian parenting books I have read. He believes that your marriage is very important and that having a solid marriage gives the child the security, love and tools that child needs to be healthy and happy. Therefore your marriage is central and key and your world does not evolve around your child. Your child is a part of the family but is not what holds the family together. He also believes in authoritative parenting…Balancing love and discipline… any way check it out for yourself.

Bible Commentary, etc.

This post is for you Eryn!  Here are some of the resources I like to use:

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Old Testament & New Testament), An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.  Editors John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck

Zondervan Nave's Topical Bible
Zondervan Exhaustive Concordance
Halley's Bible Handbook (Zondervan)
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Also, another book I will recommend is Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

Hope you find this helpful!

Anathema

Anathema by Colleen Coble

Welcome to Parke County, Indiana and the Amish community there. This is a story of Hannah, an Amish girl who becomes the prodigal when her family is murdered and she refuses to forgive. She leaves the Amish community behind and discovers many bumps, trails and heartache along the broken road that will carry her back home to her family, friends, love and most importantly God. Along the way she will learn about true forgiveness and grace. Filled with mystery, drama and romance it is a wonderful read. 4 stars.

LONESTAR SECRETS

Lonestar Secrets (Book 2) by Colleen Coble

Travel once again back to Texas and enjoy a little mystery and romance along the way. I am looking forward to reading book 3 – but it won’t be out till spring.

In Lonestar Secrets single mom Shannon Astor returns with her daughter to her hometown of Bluebird Crossing. She runs into Jack MacGown again and is shocked to find he has a daughter that looks exactly like hers…. And that’s not all - there are attacks on her and phone calls making demands and threats, her friend held hostage, and running into the man who walked away when she became pregnant. This is a story of learning to forgive and to trust. 4 Stars

LONESTAR SANCTUARY

Lonestar Sanctuary (Book 1 in Lonestar Series) by Colleen Coble

This story has a little bit of it all – mystery, suspense, romance and more. Join these characters as they learn the true meaning of love, trust and forgiveness. Wonderful and quick read.

Finding Faith

Finding Faith by Denise Hunter (Book 3 in the New Heights Series)

Wow! I am impressed with Hunter for taking a very difficult and controversial topic and walking us through it with such grace and love. A story that shows us even when we are deep in the bottom of the pit we have dug for ourselves (so to speak), God can lift us up from the pit and set our feet on higher ground. Even more than that this story is one that shows us what grace really means and how amazing it is. That in Christ we are showered with grace, love and forgiveness and given new life, our sins are as far removed from us as the east is from the west. We are reminded that with God all things are possible. There may be consequences from the choices we have made that can’t be undone but in Christ we are forgiven, loved and in Him we find strength, peace and new mercies every morning… We are given victory to live free from sin, and our past does not keep us bound in chains. 

Another wonderful and touching story.

Shades of Blue

Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury

Kingsbury has written a deep, touching and thought provoking story. A story of mistakes, bad choices and the consequences we live with ... Some things we cannot change but what we can do is come to the foot of the cross - seek forgiveness, love and healing – forgiveness from those we have harmed and forgiveness and healing from God. I hope you will give this story a read… and be reminded of how high, how deep, how immeasurable is the love and forgiveness of God. From Him flows all love and peace like a river. Remember how precious life is … a gift from God. 4 ½ stars

Readings in Process

I am so excited!  Beyond the fiction I am reading right now I am also reading some other books/studies.  At our church a large group of us have started what will be an ongoing class ... We are in the first track now for parents with children from Birth - 5th grade.  The course/book is called The Parenting Journey, Charting Your Family's Spiritual Course.  This track last till the end of February.

My husband and I are also in another small group and we are going through the book Know What You Believe by Paul E. Little.  Besides doing that we are going through a friend recommended book titled The New Six-Point Plan for Raising Happy, Healthy Children by John Rosemond.

And if that wasn't enough I am joining a neighborhood book club at the end of this month... book yet to be decided - whew!  In case you can't tell I am so excited! Since most of these books will be ones we are doing with others and we will be taking our time don't expect an overall review until we finish them but I may mention them here and there from time to time.

If you have read or studied any of these books let me know your thoughts!

Saving Grace

Saving Grace (Book 2 in the New Heights Series) by Denise Hunter

Hunter has written another wonderful, heart gripping story… one that keeps you turn the pages to see how it will all work out. I am impressed with Hunter in writing this series she has dealt with some tough and touchy topics but has done so in the light of love, forgiveness and grace. 4 ½ stars.

Mending Places

Mending Places (The New Heights Series) by Denise Hunter

A story of forgiveness, redemption, love and transformation… Of having to let go of past sins and believe in the grace of God you are bathed in. Wonderful. 4 Stars

Cry in the Night

Cry in the Night (Book 4 in the Rock Harbor Series) by Colleen Coble

The conclusion of the Rock Harbor Series (Abomination has these characters in it too but is not part of the series), is another wonderful mystery by Coble. I am sad to see the series end as you become quite fond of the characters. I have to say I was a little disappointed that a few loose ends were not tied up at the end but low and behold I went to the author’s website and she has the epilogue on her site!!! Click Here
It wrapped it up nicely! However, there are some characters I would love to see her go back and do a story on! 4 Stars