Letters From War by Mark Shultz & Travis Thrasher

Many of you will have heard this song and been greatly moved by it, but have you read the book?

I've just finished it! It is different from many other books - style, content, and the fact that if you've heard the song, you kind of know what will happen by the end of the book.

But it is a powerful story nonetheless.

At the back of the book is an interview with Mark Schultz, and one of the last questions is this:

'What would you most like readers to take away from Letters from War?
I hope it brings awareness and thankfulness for those men and women who serve in the military and the families that they leave behind. I also hope that Beth's faith will inspire readers.'

In Australia, there is less emphasis on military service than in many other countries, but we do still have people serving, and we have been involved in many conflicts. But for me, it was the faith of the main character who has inspired me to want to grow closer to God and walk with Him more and more.

ACRBA Tour - It's Just You and Me Lord by Marion Stroud

19th - 23rd  May 2014

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

'It's Just You and Me Lord' 
(Monarch Oct 13)

By 

Marion Stroud

About the Book
Women are most likely to express their deepest thoughts to a trusted friend. At its best, prayer is simply that; a conversation with a friend who is never too tired, too busy or too pre-occupied to listen and respond.

From personal prayers to prayers about family,friends and the wider world, interweaved with Scripture and thought provoking quotes, this inspirational resource helps women of all ages to genuinely connect with God,and build and maintain a strong prayer life.

About the Author

Marion Stroud has written 3 children's books, and 23 non-fiction titles. She lives in Bedford UK the town in which John Bunyan wrote his famous Pilgrim's Progress. She is a cross cultural trainer for Media Associates International [www.littworld.org] which works to help Christian writers, editors and publishers write and publish culturally appropriate material in the 'spiritually hard places' of the world. You can contact Marion at www.marionstroud.com


 My Thoughts:
I read these books the wrong way around for the tour, so I haven't actually started reading this one yet. However, I'm really enjoying the other one (review to come next month).

The way I see it there are a few ways you can read this book.

One is to use it as a part of your daily devotional reading, particularly to direct part of your prayer time.

Another way is to use it as a tool when you don't know what to pray when faced with certain situations. The topics covered in this book are very wide and relevant for women (and men) in all stages of life, regardless of marital status or age.

However you decide to read this book, it will be worth it. You may get a different perspective on prayer, be encouraged in your walk with God, or find help in a time of need.

ACRBA Tour - Imogen's Chance by Paula Vince and Giveaway

5th - 9th  May 2014

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Imogen’s Chance
(Even Before Publishing April 2014)

By 

Paula Vince 

About the Book

She has given herself a chance to fix her personal history. But will old mistakes bring up new emotions?

Imogen Browne longs to make up for past mistakes before she can move on. She quietly resolves to help the Dorazio family, whose lives she accidentally upset. Her biggest challenge is Asher, the one person who may never forgive her. And he is facing a crisis of his own. Imogen must tread very carefully, as trying to fix things may well make them shatter.


A sensitive story about misplaced loyalty, celebrating life and falling in love. Can family secrets concealed with the best intentions bear the light of day?

About the Author

Paula Vince's youth was brightened by great fiction and she's on a mission to pay it forward. A wife and homeschooling mother, she loves to highlight the beauty of her own country in her stories. Most of them are set in the lovely Adelaide Hills, where she lives. Paula's books are a skillful blend of drama and romance. Together with elements of mystery and suspense, you will keep turning pages.

My Thoughts:
I'm in two minds as I talk about this book. For some people I would be reluctant on one hand to recommend it - those people are ones who are  currently physically suffering or are close to someone who is - and that's because this book may either give them hope or make their situation seem  hopeless. However, there are some real gems of wisdom, and this is my favourite:

'I want you to stay alive. If you die, I'll be a mess. I'm afraid of taking those words in the Bible as a definite promise of what God's going to do for you, though. He doesn't heal all that many people. If a body has cancer, it doesn't often go away. That's the law of nature.'
'It is a law, but higher laws can override it.'
'What are you talking about now?'
Well, gravity is a law, but an aeroplane overrides it by using a stronger law of aerodynamics. That's the sort of thing I mean. The law of sickness and disease is valid, as you say. So is the law of positive thinking. But neither of those laws is as great as the law of God's sovereign power. I believe he loves me. Then all I need to do is trust that he wants the best for me, and that he can bring it to pass. If that means overriding those other laws and healing me completely, then he'll do it.  If he doesn't, then for whatever reason, it wasn't the best. He knows more than we do.'

I've personally experienced this very thing with someone very close to me - my Dad. God did not heal him, but there are reasons. One has been that another person has chosen to live their life serving God through the example of my Dad. Other reasons may not be made known until we are all in heaven.

This is a well written book. The characters are real and so are the situations they are in.

I'm choosing to give away my copy of this book, because I believe there is someone out there who will benefit from reading it. So if you would like to enter the give away draw, please leave a comment on this post (Australian entries only due to postage costs) by 12th May 2014.

Vending Machine or Money Machine?

Do you every feel like you are being used as a vending machine for money?

Every day we are bombarded with requests for us to donate to different causes - secular charities and Christian organisations all putting their hand out for more and more money.

I realise that programs, research and everything else costs money and that the money must come from somewhere; but it's kind of like each person is a vending machine:

Push button B3 for ...; C7 for ...; D5 for ...; and on and on ... more, more, MORE!

If you donate once, they keep sending you more requests. You ask to be taken off mailing lists and that works for a while, then suddenly they start sending you requests for donations again.

People, we need money to live on too!

What bothers me the most is that requests for donations to save animals, trees and rocks are more numerous than requests to help people. Sure those things are important, but isn't a person of more value than a tree?

Then there's the latest cause or location and everyone seems to be on the bandwagon for that. Human trafficking has been going on for a very long time (think about the slave trade during the time of John Newton and William Wilberforce), but its suddenly become a cause that everyone is creating a fuss about. Why now? What was it that suddenly made people take notice and want to do something to stop it?

Then there is a location. My local church seems to be obsessed with Asia. Of course there is a great need for missionaries in Asia, but there is also a great need in many other parts of the world as well. Countries that once sent hundreds of missionaries now have gone away from God and need people to go there to remind them about God.

I'm not saying I don't give money to a variety of things, I do, but I'd rather donate when and where I want to rather than being pushed into giving to something that has not been laid on my heart.

ACRBA Tour - Rocky Mountain Romance by Lesley Ann McDaniel

7th - 11th  April  2014

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Rocky Mountain Romance

by

Lesley Ann McDaniel

About the Book

SHEILA MACINTOSH IS HEAD OVER HEELS FOR BEN JACOBS

But they haven't spoken since his sister Courtney's wedding last summer. Now that they're back together again on Courtney's Montana ranch, Sheila's wondering if she only imagined that Ben cared for her—and their time together was just a beautiful dream.

Ben's crazy about Sheila, but he's too shy to tell her, and he's praying for another chance to win her affections. Can this sweet computer expert overcome his shyness and show her that sometimes dreams really do come true?

About the Author

While earning a degree in acting, Lesley Ann McDaniel fell in love with theatrical costuming, and pursued that as a career while nurturing her passion for writing on the side. Through God’s guidance, she has shifted her focus to honing her skills as a writer of women’s and young adult fiction. She is a member of the Northwest Christian Writers Association and of a wonderful critique group. A native Montanan and a Big Sky girl at heart, Lesley now resides in the Seattle area.

Author Interview:

1.    Can you tell us something interesting readers may not know about you?

 

Well, people might not know that I’ve worked in professional costuming for years. I’ve worked on lots of Broadway tours, and a few movies. Observing people in this crazy business has proven helpful in developing characters for my books.

 

2.    Where did you get the inspiration for "Rocky Mountain Romance"?

 

The inspiration for my “Montana Hearts” series basically came from growing up in Montana, even though I’ve never lived anywhere near a ranch. The idea for this particular book pretty much sprang up from the first book in the series, “Lights, Cowboy, Action”. That was where I first met Sheila and Ben, and decided it would be fun to develop their story.  

 

3.    What did you find most fun in writing these books?

 

The most fun thing about writing this series was getting to escape to Thornton Springs, Montana. It’s a fictional town, but it was inspired by a couple of real places in Montana. I could easily live in a small town, although of course there’s an advantage to being able to invent the ideal place.

 

 

4.    What would you like readers to take out of reading your books?

 

Of course the first thing is for them to be entertained. I love it when readers tell me they enjoyed visiting Thornton Springs and didn't want to leave. The underlying hope of course is that readers will be inspired by the lessons learned by the characters.

 

5.    A fun question to end. If you were to recommend somewhere in Montana for readers to visit where would it be?

 

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you haven’t visited Montana until you’ve been to the Sweet Palace in Philipsburg. It’s an old fashioned candy store that’s bound to make anybody happy.

 

6.    Where can we find you on the web?

 

You can visit my website at www.lesleyannmcdaniel.com or my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LesleyAnnMcDaniel

My Thoughts:
I didn't manage to read this one. I just don't read e-books. Maybe one day I'll read it but for now, I hope you get your hands on a copy and enjoy it!

2014 TBR Pile Challenge - February and March Update

Ok, I know. I missed an update! I got to over half way through March and realised that I hadn't given an update, but then I'd only read 2 books for this challenge in February, so I decided to do an update for 2 months at the end of March!

February:

• The Crossing by Gilbert Morris
• Jennifer by Dee Henderson

I went on to read the rest of the O'Malley series, so it was a good reading month, just not for the challenge!

March:

I managed 3 books for the month, and almost squeezed in a 4th, but didn't finish it until this morning, so I'll catch you up on that one in my next update and keep you in suspense for now!

• Christy Miller's Diary by Robin Jones Gunn
• Decorating Without Fear by Sharon Hanby-Robie
• The Story Girl by L M Montgomery

So, I've now finished 12 of 29 from my original TBR Pile list!

Now, you might be wondering why some of these books have been on my TBR pile for a while, and the simple reason is that some of my reading preferences have changed since these books arrived on my shelf. I'm more interested in contemporary than historical novels; biographies I tend to only read once, and since I had already read them once in my lifetime the appeal for them has waned.

How about you?

Have you made any progress on your TBR pile?

Is there a reason why a book (or many) have sat in your pile for a long time?

Let me know! I'd love to know what your thoughts are!

ACRBA Tour - Dave the Donkey by Andrew McDonough

31 March - 4 April  2014

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Dave the Donkey

by

Andrew McDonough

About the Book

. 
Jerusalem. A lone rider approaches. The cheering crowd swarm to greet him. The King has come, mounted upon his mighty steed Dave the Donkey! Join Dave, his Grandpa and Jesus in this epic Easter tale of power, courage, death and resurrection. If you like Black Beauty you will love Dave the Donkey.

About the Author

Andrew McDonough is the creator of the popular Lost Sheep resources. He has written and illustrated 21 children's stories that are used in schools and churches around the world. Based in South Australia, Andrew belongs to the WestCare community, an inner city mission working amongst the homeless, supporting people struggling with addictions and advocating for refugees. He regularly visits schools & churches to tell stories, conduct workshops, preach and lead all-age worship services. He and the Lost Sheep team have a passion to provide high quality Biblical storytelling resources to children’s workers, pastors and parents. Andrew’s stories including Cecil the Lost Sheep, Jesus and the Children, Echidnas on Everest and his latest book, Tina the Tree

https://www.lostsheep.com.au/

My Thoughts:
I love this book!!! The funny thing is that as soon as I opened the parcel I giggled. Mostly because I have a brother Dave!! And then as I read the book, it sounded so much like a story my brother would tell and the way he would tell it. And I could hear the voice of my Grandfather with those parts!!!

Another great thing about this book are the resources you can get through the Lost Sheep website (some free, some requiring you to buy them) that go along with this and the other books in the series.

I'm planning to read this on Easter Sunday to the 2-5 year olds in crèche! I can't wait for their reaction!!

Moving Music

Love this music ... to bad it's not on the actual soundtrack CD. If you want it, you have to get the soundtrack for Life as a House.

Kids Again

I think life was much simpler when I was a child. I'm glad I grew up when I did.

All You've Ever Wanted