Little Star

I was curious to receive this book as I had seen several positive reviews for it. Let me say that I was not disappointed!! The story is so well written and definitely keeps the attention of the little children. It even led to questions and discussion of what they have on top of their Christmas tree at home. The illustrations were delightful. My 9 year old granddaughter wanted to take the book home with her because it was about Christmas!! LOVE THIS BOOK and while it may not be Biblical, are all stories you read to your children based on fact? Do they not love to hear the nursery rhymes and fairy tales?? Then why not add a book about Christmas and what a star did for Baby Jesus!!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Mountains Bow Down

I couldn't wait to read this book cause I love a good mystery! And the setting was Alaska, a state my husband and I can't wait to visit!! So I started to read with great anticipation. First I find out that the main character, Raleigh Harmon, is newly engaged. But she has taken a vacation to Alaska to think about whether she really wants to marry this guy. The trip, by the way, is compliments of her Aunt Charlotte, who also invites a friend of hers and Raleigh's Mom. Come to find out, Raleigh's Mom does not know that her daughter is an FBI agent and also seems to border on Alzheimer disease. Then her Aunt believes that special rocks heal spiritual wounds and her Aunt's friend is a psychic. Okay, that's more information than I really care to sort through after just 2 pages. But I press on.

Okay, after we are told the ship takes a detour we find out a wife of a movie star onboard has committed suicide. Raleigh is quickly put on the case since the ship's captain knows she is an FBI agent. So we are introduced to Geert, the ship's head of security, who doesn't appear to be too intelligent. The dead woman's body is taken to the mortuary at Ketchikan where Raleigh finds her fears confirmed. This was not a suicide. Her boss calls her and tells her a co-worker named Jack is going to come help her with the case. Jack of course seems to be quite arrogant and taken with himself and also taken with other women, including Raleigh. But he does have some smarts about solving a murder mystery.

As a whole I did enjoy the book and loved the description of the Alaskan scenery. It had more bunny trails than I wanted to read about and that did kind of dampened the whole mystery theme of the book for me. But I may read her next book, just to see how the author continues the series.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

When the Hurt Runs Deep by Kay Arthur

Well known Bible teacher, Kay Arthur, has drawn upon her knowledge and insight that God has given her through years of counseling to write a book that we will all learn from one day or another. She touches on several scenarios that can affect us and if they don't affect us, they will most certainly have affected someone we know. Abuse, neglect, suicide, cancer, even pain we bring about ourselves are some of the examples on what Kay touches on in this book.

And just how do we get through the hurts in our lives? Kay points to the only Healer and Friend who can get us through these times, God Himself. She uses several Bible passages as examples of 'hurt': Abraham being told to sacrifice his only son; Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers. That story alone has so many lessons to learn in the area of hurt. Kay also has a chapter of the benefits of suffering. She lists 7 of them and uses scripture to back her up. In another chapter she talks about whether Jesus can possibly understand our pain. (Yes He can!!)

I learned alot from this book personally and will definitely be one I keep in my library and use to help others who need guidance in their hurtful times. This would also be great as a Bible study as the book as a guide for this in the back. Truly a timely book from a very respected author!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.