Victim of Grace

Victim of Grace
By Robin Jones Gunn

About the book:
Robin Jones Gunn reveals poignant truths from her life as well as from the lives of women in the Bible as she flips the notion that we are at the mercy of circumstances. She asks, what if God has dreams for you? What if he is accomplishing those dreams in the midst of shattered hopes? When life doesn't go as expected, it's easy to feel like a victim. We look at the events that have gone wrong and view our lives as impaired. What if we could see our future as God sees it? Would our view radically change if we understood we are indeed victims rather than of happenstance? God, the Relentless Lover, has vigorously sought you. He has instilled dreams in your heart that are grander than you can imagine. But the route to their fulfillment often is through a path you wouldn't seek. What if God wants to take the hopes that tug at your heart and enliven them? Are you ready to live inside the mysterious joy of being a victim of grace?

My thoughts:
Wow! Is all I can really say. I wanted to read "Victim of Grace" because I love Robin Jones Gunn's books. I love the warmth her books wrap me in so ofcourse I wanted to read about her own life. I thought it would be the same as her books.

Boy, was I surprised. I never expected to find she struggled with so much, especially when it came to writing. I thought writing poured out. I thought she writes romance so that's what her life would be, romantic. I learned Robin is no different than the rest of us in struggling to find her way in her career, facing health problems, and finding contentment in the life God has given her.

Each chapter talks about a struggle Robin has had an parallels it with a woman from the Bible that she learned from and drew comfort from through that time. I loved it, she really brought Bible stories to life showing that we aren't no different than woman back then.

Even though I was surprised as I got into the book Im more inspired and admire Robin even more after reading "Victim of Grace"

*i received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers through netgalley.com*

Rating: a whole gem parcel!

Swimming Through Clouds

Swimming Through Clouds
By Rajdeep Paulus

About the book:
I live in the in between. Between what if and what is. It’s how I manage. It’s the only way I know. Everyone has their way. This is mine.
When high school cell phone disruption forces a classroom ban, the words on a Post-it note spark a sticky romance between two unlikely friends. Transfer student Talia Vanderbilt has one goal at her new school: to blend in with the walls. Lagan Desai, basketball captain and mathlete, would do just about anything to befriend the new girl. One Post-it note at a time, Lagan persuades Talia to peel back her heart, slowly revealing her treasure chest of pain—an absent mother, a bedridden brother, and an abusive father. In a world where hurt is inevitable, the two teens search for a safe place to weather the storms of life. Together.

My thoughts:
"Swimming through the clouds" is vivid and captivating. A lot of it is heavy and evoked so much sympathy for the main characters yet funny, bright, and sweet. Its a book I couldn't put down. Talia, Jesse, and Lagan afe compelled to move forward and it compelled me to keep reading through it all.

Talia is filled with strength abd courage. From the beginning I just wanted her to open up to Lagan. Lagan is determined and I'm so glad he stuck to pursuing Talia showing what it's like to be a true friend, even if the only way was through sticky notes.

The ending left me wondering and waiting for the rest of the story.

"Swimming Through Clouds" is an awesome debut novel and I can't wait for the next one from Rajdeep Paulus.