The Heart of Memory by A. Strobel

Another intriguing and captivating book by Strobel!  I loved her insight into so many different areas of relationship and faith.  Once you get into this story you won't want to put it down and can't wait to see how she will work it all out!

I loved the realness and the authentic struggles you see the characters going through and seeing God in and as the bigger picture. Not the God so many make up in their own theology/minds but getting to the truth and what is real - the God of the Bible; the God of Love. Redeeming, healing, providing, saving and restoring paint the picture of our God.

Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs (Book 2)

Mine is the Night is the follow-up book to Here Burns my Candle, and it picks up where that one left off.  If you do not remember me posting on the previous book look it up but I will remind you it is loosely based off of the biblical story of Ruth and is set in Scotland.  Elisabeth & Marjory's journey continues with much growth and grace along the way.  An absolutely wonderful book!  I loved the setting, the characters and couldn't wait to see how Higgs would work this one all out.  This is a story on grace, love, forgiveness, mercy, redemption and more... Well done Higgs!

Reinventing Rachel by Alison Strobel

I have had this one in my stack to read for a while now and I am so glad to finally get to it!  Kudos to Alison, I love that she makes you think, go deeper and ask yourself questions that you might not have thought to ask yourself before. Also, she is unafraid to tackle what can be hard or touche subjects to write on. 

I can tell you as I heard Beth Moore once quote her daughter on the subject of watching some TV shows or such I do not "feel dumber" for ever having read one of her books!  If anything I come away having thought more, taken inventory and delving in with God on things I might not have thought about before or for a while... Growth!  Thanks Alison for another great read!

Kissing Adrien by Siri L. Mitchell

Another great read by Mitchell!  I got caught up in this story right away.  The characters are rich and so human, you feel as if you know them or they remind you of you in some way.  You will find both humor, romance and more as you travel with Claire to France and discover more about a long time friend, Adrien; an unexpected family inheritance and relative; and more about discovering who you really are... and what you really like are not set in stone. 

I would have given this 5 stars but the ending ... It ended too quickly!  I wanted a little more... You just get so caught up in the story & the characters that the ending just wasn't all I wanted it to be.... Yes, it is still a happy ending - no worries there.  This is just my opinion that maybe there should have been just a little more, another chapter or epilogue or something!  Or it is just so good there is no way for it to end and me be happy ... you read it and figure it out for yourself!

The Guy I'm Not Dating by Trish Perry

After reading a few of my otherwise noted humorous books this one was recommended to me... It is a pleasant read with some good humor in it.  Although I didn't love it, it was an enjoyable light read.

The story is all about a girl who has decided to stop dating for a while only to then meet the guy she would really love to date.  Throw in a road trip with some mixed matched people and some challenging people to love and you have a story.

Jonah by Priscilla Shirer

Recently I finished the study on Jonah by P. S. and although I did not love it as much as I did her book One in a Million, I did find it to be a good study.  It had some wonderful insights and lessons to be learned from studying the book of Jonah.  However, one of the main points she kept pushing is: what is God asking you to do that you are running from?  So if you are really seeking Him and in a place where you are walking in obedience it just doesn't speak as much to you at the current place/time you are in.  Not that you can't learn from it!  Overall it is good study to do.

The Cubicle Next Door

Wow, I loved this one!  In the beginning I wasn't gripped, but a little later into it I didn't want to put it down.  You get caught up in the characters, the story, and you want to see what will happen next.  There are stories I read and chuckle to myself at times over the humor in them but it isn't often I have one that has me laughing out loud, and not just once but several times.  I just couldn't hold the laughter in and it felt good... My husband kept looking at me like "what is so funny?"! 

However, it wasn't just humor there were times this story had me tearing up too.  I couldn't wait to see how it would all work out and at the same time didn't want the story to end.

a lauren holbrook novel (series) by Erynn Mangum

After reading the book I previously posted on I was in the mood to continue on with a book that had a humorous touch to it.  Miss Match (Book 1 in this series) was recommended and I thought I would give it a try...  Again this one didn't grip me right off but as you read it and get to know the characters you get drawn in... The characters come to feel like good friends, there is some wonderful humor and insights... AND you want to see what will happen to your main character, Lauren Holbrook the self proclaimed matchmaker who has vowed to stay single forever.

Needless to say I got drawn in and ended up reading the whole series (book 2/Rematch & book3/Matchpoint).  It was hard to end the series because you feel like you are saying good by to a group of friends and all the fun you have had with them.  I was tempted to start her next series right off but think I will save it for another time when I am in the mood for a fun read.

Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp

Yes, I know this is my third post tonight but I just didn't feel like grouping them all together in one post, especially since the two previous post were on fiction and this one is not. 

I will confess that I read all of it except the last four chapters and that is only because those deal specifically with older children and teenagers which is not a stage we are at yet.  I plan on reading them as that time nears.  That said the rest of the book was very insightful and helpful.  Tripp gives solid foundational truths and parenting guides as well as examples. There of course will be some areas where parents will very strongly agree or disagree with him (all you have to do is read reviews on amazon or such to see).  Overall, I feel you can find some really good information in this book and it is worth your time to read it.