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.

Perfect Glass

Perfect Glass
By Laura Anderson Kurk
About the book:
I couldn’t stop crying because it was so intimate, in that way I always thought being physical with him would feel. If someone had walked in they might have thought Henry was barely touching me. I knew the truth of it–
Things get messy when Meg Kavanagh gets involved—first with Jo Russell, the eccentric old artist, and then with Quinn O’Neill, the intriguing loner who can’t hide how he feels about Meg. Her senior year isn’t turning out like she planned, but sometimes the best parts of life happen in the in-between moments.
He commits to one year in an orphanage that needs him more than he ever dreamed. Thousands of miles from Meg and the new punk who has fallen for her, and absent from the ranch that’s in his blood, Henry Whitmire finds out what it means to trust. When you’re so far from home, it’s terrifying to realize you’re not who you thought.
But the perfect glass of calamity makes the best mirror.

My thoughts:
After reading "Perfect Glass" I feel much the same as I did after I read the first book "Glass Girl." Wow, how does she do it?

Meg is the kind of friend you want to have. She's deep and thoughtful and not hung up on trivial things. Henry is full of sweetness and wears his emotions on his sleeve.

Laura Anderson Kurk has a way of drawing you into your world like you are part of it. This series is a must read!

It's Over

It's Over
By Laura L Smith

About the book:

How do you move on when It's Over? When four college roommates lose pieces of their lives, the pain isolates and the tension rises. Emotions are hard to hide and even harder to tackle. How can the girls move forward, when there is so much pain in letting go? Together, Claire, Kat, Palmer and Hannah learn to lean on God and each other, and through it all they learn loss is a part of life. BOOK TWO IN THE STATUS UPDATES SERIES

My thoughts:
"It's Over" continues the story of the four girls from "It's Complicated". Its Over again brings as four stories from four different perspectives and walks of life showing how we can come together and lean on friends.



Character Connection:
Hannah is always baking and has a knack for chocolate chip cookies! You can too with this recipe.
http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/18476/Original-NESTLÉ-TOLL-HOUSE-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies/detail.aspx

Joni & Ken

Joni & Ken
By Ken & Joni Tada
About the book:
This is the true love story of Joni and her husband of 30 years, Ken Tada. A love story showing what it truly means for a man and a woman to live in love … in sickness and in health.
Even the honeymoon wasn’t easy. Did Ken realize what he was getting into when he proposed to Joni, a quadriplegic woman? As their marriage years moved on, Ken became increasingly overwhelmed by the never-ceasing demands of caring for Joni, who begins to experience chronic, extreme, nightmarish pain. Ken sinks into depression, and the couple finds themselves on parallel tracks in life, married and living under the same roof but drifting apart emotionally.
But as they fight for their marriage and find their way through the mazes of depression and pain, they wrap their two lives around their rock-- Jesus.
During Ken’s denial of Joni’s diagnosis, and Joni’s thoughts of how wonderful a quick exit to heaven would be, they experience a personal visitation with the savior you will never forget.

My thoughts:
Most of us are familiar with the story of Joni Eareckson Tada, her diving accident, and how she started Joni and Friends (if you aren't, it's worth checking out!) but we don't know much about her and her husband. how they met and got married, what their life is was and is like, and how her quadriplegia has affected both of them. This book gives a glimpse into the story explains what God has taught them all these years and encouraging other to follow The Lord no matter how bleak your circumstances appear.

This was a really good book that at times was sad to read but filled with God's goodness.

*i received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers through Book Sneeze*

Favorite Quote:
"A miracle is better than a fairytale."
Rating: 5 carats

Perfecting Kate

Perfecting Kate
By Tamara Leigh

About the book:
Kate’s Creed: Thou shalt embrace singledom and be unbelievably, inconceivably happy.

YEAH, RIGHT.

Kate Meadows is a successful San Francisco artist looking for a nice, solid Christian man. So when not one, but two handsome bachelors enter her orbit in rapid succession, her head is spinning just a bit. Michael Palmier is a hunky and famous makeup artist who actually seems to be flirting with her–rather than her physically flawless housemate, Maia. Trouble is, he keeps handing her business cards from various beauty professionals and plastic surgeons. Is he trying to stamp out every last bit of self-esteem she has?

Then there’s Dr. Clive Alexander, good-looking enough to be mistaken for Brad Pitt, who sends Kate’s pulse skittering every time he comes near. Too bad he’s only interested in her work–and doesn’t think she’s much to look at. It’s enough to send a girl running for her paint-splattered, relaxed-fit jeans and swearing off men altogether! But after undergoing a makeover from Michael’s staff, Kate can’t be oblivious to the admiring glances men throw her way. Maybe she should try contacts…consider some fancy dental work…and you know, that mole really could stand to go. The question now is, what kind of work will Kate do on herself…and who exactly is she trying to please?

My thoughts:
While trying to find confidence in the way she looks and determined to be a content single, Kate Meadows meets Clive Alexander. He's everything she could want. And he's equally as crazy about her with one exception, she drastically change her appearance. Is it worth it?

I loved how lighthearted and honest "Perfecting Kate" was while also being deep and thoughtful. Some may I say it was shallow but let be honest who hasn't had a ton of Kate's thoughts? I ended really admiring all Kate learned through her journey.



* I received this book free for review from Waterbrook- Multnomah Publishers*

Rating: 5 carats

Captives

Captives
By Jill Williamson

About the book:
One choice could destroy them all. When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he'd find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed by enforcers, and many---including his fiancee, Jem--taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Land, a walled city that seems anything but safe. Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away to Denver City, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land like nomads and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Land has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago ... and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar's dreams. Meanwhile, Jem is locked in a cell, awaiting the Safe Landers' plan to protect their future by seizing her own. Can Levi uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Land's facade before it's too late?

My thoughts:
Jill Williamson always describes her books as weird and they are in an amazing way. She creates her own world and hands you a one way ticket when you open one of her books.

"Captives" is fascinating. The Safe Lands is where "Captives" is set and It is described with vivid beauty. Each character has their own dialogue and story. For that reason it can start out a little hard to keep track of and understand but once you grasp the jist it's like your right there as one of them.

I don't know what else to say except that I really admire Jill's creativity along with the depth and complexity of her plots. The have to take so much work and she doesn't slouch, she creates a universe as vivid as the colors on the cover of her book.

Visit thesafelands.com for more information

Rating: 5 carats