The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne Huist Smith

The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne Huist Smith is the personal memoir of the author.  She tells the story of her and her three children and the Christmas they experienced after their husband and father passed away unexpectedly.  The were barely plodding along, surviving only when one evening they received an anonymous gift on their front porch.  That gift led to 12 days of gifts, to go along with the famous song, The Twelve Days of Christmas.

At first irritated, offended, and even angry by the gifts, they soon begin to change the family.  They begin to be open to the idea of celebrating Christmas.  They realize that they can indeed be happy again, and that they are grateful to be alive, to have each other. The gifts are very simple, yet deeply profound in their intention.  The author shares, "The power of the gifts lies in the understanding that joy and sorrow can coexist comfortably and without guilt."

The 12 gifts are a friend's way of helping them through their pain, of reminding them that there are people in the world who are kind and caring, that others are thinking of them and praying for them.  The 13th gift, however, is not tangible.  It's not something that could be wrapped and left on the front porch.  It is something that is magical and mysterious.  It's something that you will need to read the book yourself to understand.

I think you'll find this book a pleasurable Christmas read, as I did.  It's inspiring and heartwarming, yet it's also honest and genuine.  You may even be inspired to pass on the 13th gift yourself.  I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Miss Brenda and the Loveladies: A Heartwarming True Story of Grace, God and Gumption by Brenda Spahn and Irene Zutell

I enjoyed this book so much! It was truly inspiring and thought provoking, all while being very entertaining. I laughed and cried, and was moved to examine my own prejudices. Now that, dear reader, is worth the price of admission, as they say! I wholeheartedly recommend that you check out Miss Brenda and the Loveladies: A Heartwarming True Story of Grace, God, and Gumption.

 Miss Brenda, Brenda Sphan, is a wealthy, driven businesswoman. Her goal in life is to make LOTS of money, to always have the best of everything. She was raised in a trailer, and vowed as a little girl that she would be rich one day. Brenda makes good on that vow, but God has more in mind for her. Using the very character and gifts He has already given her, God taps into her guts and gumption by calling her to prison ministry. Mrs. Sphan literally pushes her way into the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Alabama, where she begins to see how broken the prison system is.

The statistics on the numbers of women who are released from prison and then return are appalling and Brenda decides that her life's calling is to do something about it. She talks her reluctant husband into turning their nearby mansion into a halfway house (she refuses to call it that, preferring the term "wholeway" house) for women. After miles of red tape and obstacles, Brenda is prepared to receive the first group of newly released prisoners. She is in for the shock of her life when they are the toughest, scariest group of women she has never seen before. All of her newly hired staff for the home promptly quits and Brenda and her daughter are forced to take on the roles of cook, cleaner, housemother, and counselor themselves.

You'll love the heartbreaking, yet tender, stories of the women that Brenda comes to love. Each one presents a unique challenge and has different needs and desires, yet Brenda manages, with discernment and wisdom that could only come from God, to minister to each one. She truly becomes the hands and feet of Jesus to each of the women who comes to her home, fearful and doubting, yet somehow hopeful that this times things just might work out for her. You too will be inspired and moved by Miss Brenda and the Loveladies: A Heartwarming True Story of Grace, God, and Gumption!

 I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.

When We Were on Fire by Addie Zierman

I am struggling with how to review When We Were on Fire by Addie Zierman. I normally very much enjoy autobiographies or memoirs, but I don't know what to say about this one. Ms. Zierman grew up in a loving Christian home, attended church with her family, had good friends and many opportunities, yet she blames everyone and anyone else for treating her in ways she sees as ungodly. She was never abused or molested, yet she sees herself as a victim, violated and damaged by others in the church. Her growing up years would be considered fairy tale by many, yet she disdains everything that she was taught. She is bitter, critical, and unloving, yet she only sees others as that way, not herself. 

Most of what happened that turns Addie from both God himself and the church is at the hands of a teenage boyfriend. He is legalistic and overreaching, yet he loves God and on some level, loves her too. Later in life she needs extensive counseling to get over this relationship. She also feels rejected when the women in her Bible study don't "see" that she is lonely. She never tells them, but leaves the group when they can't read her mind. She calls herself a cynic and a doubter. I call her a whiner and an exaggerator. I'm sorry that she had hard times, yet who among us doesn't? People are flawed, sinful, they can't always be trusted. That's why we call ourselves Christians. We follow Christ, not other human beings.

If you too, struggle with evangelistic Christianity, then you may enjoy and agree with Addie Zierman's point of view. You might be glad to find out you are not alone in your feelings. If Addie's story helps you work through your own difficulties, then I am glad for you, but reading this memoir was no pleasure for me. I would also warn the reader that it contains quite a bit of swearing, including liberal use of the "f" word.

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Girl at the End of the World by Elizabeth Esther

Girl at the End of the World is the fascinating, and often horrifying, memoir of Elizabeth Esther's life in a cult called The Assembly. It was very interesting to read of a life so different from my own, but was also very painful to read. Elizabeth endured daily "spankings", that were abusive and way overboard. 

 The legalism the Assembly enforced was beyond Pharisaical. Like all cults, every action and even thought was controlled by its leaders. Although this memoir was often heartbreaking, the author managed to interject some humor and uplifting moments. Her own parents and grandparents were leaders of the cult, and while misguided would be a vast understatement, I do believe they loved her and did actually want good for her. Elizabeth herself attempts to portray their love, while being truthful about the life she lived.

I'm sure this story would be most insightful and hopeful to others who were raised in a cult or some type of radically legalistic environment. Neither of those conditions apply to my own life, so I am a bit torn about how to review this book. Although interesting, I cannot relate to it much, and therefore struggle somewhat with how to apply it to myself. Certainly it is a good reminder of how much I appreciate my own freedom in Christ and a valuable warning of the dangers of taking Scripture out of context, twisting it for my one's own uses.

 I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in return for my honest review.

A Table by the Window by Hillary Manton Lodge

I just loved A Table by the Window, Hillary Manton Lodge. I stayed up way too late and allowed other tasks to go undone to read it. Although, when I think about it, I really can't come up with much we have in common, I very much felt a connection with the main character in the book, Juliette D'Alisa. She is a young, single French-Italian food writer, with a passion for cooking, who lives in a big city and comes from a big, loud family. I am a middle-aged, married Dutch-Spanish administrative assistant, who lives in the suburbs and comes from a quiet, small family. I think what connected me to her is our love of cooking and our love of the Lord. She is a gourmet cook, I a hack, but nevertheless I do love food and the way it nourishes and blesses other people. I think, although I fully realize she is a fictional character, she felt the same.

If you too like food with a bit of mystery and romance thrown in, you too will enjoy this book. As a bonus, it is filled with lovely, detailed recipes that go along with the story. Many of them are quite complicated with ingredients that I certainly don't stock in my pantry, but they were fun to read nonetheless.

One of the things I enjoyed most Hillary Manton Lodge's writing is that it's not too predictable. There are a few surprise twists along the way, yet it ends happily like I want from a romance novel. Although it is Christian fiction, it is not in your face, not overly preachy, the characters are not gushingly sweet.

I highly recommend that you too, take your place at A Table by the Window, and enjoy this book as I did! Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

A Short Walk to the Edge of Life by Scott Hubbartt Col. Tom Blase, Retired USAF Chaplain

A Short Walk to the Edge of Life is the memoir of an army veteran named Scott Hubbart.  Scott is married to a Peruvian woman and, interested in her family's history, decides to embark on a one day hike in the Andes mountains.  His desire is to trace a journey that his wife's ancestors took when they moved from one town to another.  It is a simple wish for a simple trek that ends up turning his life upside down.

Scott is trained for survival and plans for an eight-hour hike.  He feels that he is well equipped with water, two compasses, maps and other emergency gear.  When he becomes lost in the desolate backcountry, he realizes that he is not all all prepared.  Scott faces demons, both spiritual and physical.  After five days, he nearly dies of dehydration and starvation.

This story is full of adventure and excitement, but is also a tale of miracles and grace.  Scott credits God with saving him numerous times, pointing the way out of the desert, when Scott was convinced that he was living his last day on this earth.  He came to realize that the Lord Jesus was with him every step of his journey and now desires to share his story with us.

If you like a good adventure that is also a picture of hope and encouragement, then you too will enjoy this book. I received an copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn was indeed a sweet love story.  It has intrigue, romance, danger--all the elements a reader wants in a good, take-me-away read.  I read it while on vacation, and it was very enjoyable and a delightful escape. 

Tamsen Littlejohn seeks to escape her violent stepfather after he murders her mother in a fit of rage.  She flees without any plan or provision and is mercifully aided by Jesse Bird, a half Indian mountain man with a good heart and a good aim with his rifle.  Tamsen proposes an arranged marriage, which the Holy Spirit whispers to Jesse's heart is God's plan so he agrees.  However, before the marriage can take place, the pastor asks Tamsen to take some time to be sure that is what she wants. During the waiting period, Jesse and Tamsen do fall in love, but not before many narrow escapes and misadventures as they flee from Tamsen's stepfather, who aims to hunt her down.

If you like adventure, this is the book for you.  If you like romance, this is the book for you.  If you like history, this is the book for you.  This books fills all those categories beautifully.  I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in return for my honest review.

If God is Good by Randy Alcorn

I received a copy of If God Is Good by Randy Alcorn from Waterbook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for my objective review and I will admit, I have had it a good long while before finishing it and writing this review.  It's just not the type of book that you will breeze through and pick up for some entertainment or stress relief at the end of a busy day.  It is more of a reference book, something to go to when you have a question or doubt or want to find a Scripture verse to study.  Let's face it, no one enjoys talking about, reading about or certainly going through suffering, and that is the topic of this book.

Randy Alcorn, as always, does stellar research and study before writing.  I have the greatest respect for him as an author and really, a teacher.  His Biblical principles are, in my opinion, very sound.  If you are looking for someone you can trust to give you the truth about evil and suffering, Randy is spot on.  Randy himself knows what it is to suffer, so he's not just speaking of some pie-in-the-sky philosophy; he has lived some suffering.  He also interviewed and quotes many who have suffered deeply, giving us an even richer perspective.

I like the subtitle of the book, Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil.  Not faith in spite of suffering, not faith after suffering and evil have subsided, but faith in the midst.  It is possible because yes, as the book (and of course The book, The Bible) proclaim, God IS good.  All the time.  Even in suffering.