Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible

Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible

This Bible is a compilation of Max Lucado’s Life Lessons Devotional books and the Bible. It is a really nice gift. For a study Bible it’s not too big, bulky, or heavy, has a nice burgundy cover and is very sturdy.




There is a two color design making it easy to sort through Bible passages and devotionals and I love seeing the life lessons interspersed throughout in the margins. In the back of the Bible there is a section showing different “reading the Bible in” plans for you to choose from whether it be 90 days, one year, or two years. This is great Bible for anyone wanting to delve deeper into study as well as any Max Lucado fan.



Favorite Verse:

Jeremiah 29: 11-13

“11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”




I received this book free for review from Thomas Nelson Publishers

Rating: 5 carats

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God Called a Girl

God Called a Girl


By Shannon Primicerio



God Called a Girl draws on the life of Mary, a simple, insignificant teenager who God called to change the world. As we learn about Mary we begin to see how God chooses the unlikely to fulfill His plan and we are asked “are you willing to answer the call?”



This book was awesome. I learned so much about Mary and really started to think about her and look at her in a different light but the book isn’t as much about Mary as it is about God and what He can do with someone willing to submit their life to Him no matter what the circumstances. As easy as it would be to say that the story of Mary and Jesus’ birth is ancient an irrelevant to today’s culture Shannon adds stories from her life and those around her to show how we can learn from the courage of this teenage girl who risked it all to follow God. Ultimately this book is challenge to say “yes” to God and how following Him can change your world.



I’ve read this book a few times and am amazed every time. There is so much to think about and learn from.



Favorite Quote:

“It’s been said that who we are in our current surroundings is who we will be in our desired surrounding.”




Rating: a whole gem parcel!!

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Hatteras Girl

 

Hatteras Girl
By Alice Wisler
Jackie Donavon has consistently asked God for two things; a husband and a bed-and-breakfast in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As Jackie goes about her life striving for her dreams she comes across the Bailey Place, an old house with an outrageous price tag, in need of some fixing up, owned by the handsome and single Davis Erickson. Everything Jackie’s always wanted is falling into place, although Davis has a secret. Will Jackie ignore his past to go after her dreams?




The idea for the story was good but this book is so slow moving and drawn out that it wasn’t fun to read at all. The author described everything that happened and every movement each character took. It was like just get to the next scene already. I really wanted to like this book because it was set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and I have been there many times. I just couldn’t get into it. If the author was going to write such a descriptive book it would’ve been much better if she talked about the beauty of the islands or the inner dialogue of the characters and not what they were reading on the menu of a restaurant.



Favorite Quote:

“The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook”


I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers
Rating: 3 carats

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Double Shot

Double Shot
By Erynn Magum

In the final installment of the Maya Davis series by Erynn Mangum ( read about Cool Beans and Latte Daze), Maya seems to have it all. She’s engaged to her long time best friend and now sweetheart, Jack, and everything should be just peachy, right? Wrong! Maya can’t shake her doubts and questions. What if this happens? What if that happens? When Jack is offered a once-in-a-lifetime job in Seattle Maya begins to panic even more about the future.




Sad as I was for the series to end, I think it’s the best book in the series. We really see Maya questioning what she is doing, where is going, and learning to rely on God even when things don’t go as she had hoped.



Erynn really has a knack for funny one-liners and relating the Bible to real life through her characters weekly church Bible study. I can’t wait for her next series.



Favorite Quote:

“But then again God is God. And He does have a way of changing my plans. After all, I am marrying Jack Dominguez instead of Justin Timberlake. Seventh grade was interesting.”


I received this book free for review from NavPress Publishers

Rating: 5 carats

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On A Whim

On A Whim
By Robin Jones Gunn

On a Whim is the second book in Robin Jones Gunn's Katie Weldon Series(read about book one, Peculiar Treasures). The book starts in Katie's senior year of college when she thinks she has things figured out with Rick Doyle. Rick's work schedule makes things a challenge and Katie ends up spending time with Rick’s new roommate Eli. After star gazing in the desert with Eli, Katie begins to wonder about everything she had planned out for her life.




Reading about Katie is like spending time with a friend. Katie is sweet, relatable, and just as confused as the next person. Robin has a heartwarming way of weaving the lives of her characters into the hearts of her readers, leaving an imprint there. The Katie Weldon series displays the depth of the friendship between Katie and Christy as their lives go in two different directions. I get so excited to see anything new from Robin. I'll be a lifelong reader.



Favorite Quote:

"If there's one thing I've learned it's that good friends are like gold."





Rating: 5 carats

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Safe Haven

Safe Haven
By Nicholas Sparks

In Safe Haven the main character, Katie Feldman, moves to a small, sleepy town on the east coast determined to make it her refuge. Katie rents a small cabin and begins to work at a local restaurant. As the days go by Katie meets a kindhearted widower, Alex, with two kids and an empathetic neighbor, Jo. She slowly lets her guard down and begins to feel part of the community. Can Katie really keep her past behind her? And will her secret put those she’s drawing close to in danger as well?




This book starts out like it is going to be a sweet southern love story and I really liked it. Halfway through the point of view shifts to that of Katie’s husband, Kevin, and we are drawn into his obsessive, controlling world as he stalks around trying to find where Katie has fled to. I stopped liking the book at this point. It turns into a thriller and just isn’t my style. However anyone who likes sitting on the edge of their seat would probably really like this book. Nicholas Sparks is an amazing writer and will definitely read another one of his books.





Favorite Line:

"That he would love her no matter what she told him, and that he was the kind of man who loved her already and would love her forever."



I received this book free for review from Hachette Audio

Rating: 3 carats

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She's Gone Country

She's Gone Country

By Jane Porter

After a painful divorce, Shey Lynn packs and moves to Texas from New York City to be with her family and regroup. She is left with three boys who do not want to be in Texas and her own doubt of whether she'll ever find happiness again. Conflict after conflict arises when Shey can't get along with her mother, doesn't feel comforted by her brothers, and her sons act out trying to get her to send then back to NYC. If that isn't enough she runs into Dane, her high school crush and begins to wonder what would happen if she had ended up with him.

The whole book seemed like Shey was just wandering aimlessly and even though there is a resolution in the end, it doesn't seem like Shey grew as a person or learned anything from her experiences. Shey is obviously hurt and struggling for answers but the books as a whole didn’t go anywhere or accomplish anything.



Favorite Line:

"Remembering hurts"

I received this book free for review from Hachette Book Group

Rating: 3 carats

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