Book Review: "In Every Heartbeat" by Kim Vogel Sawyer

I recently received a free copy of the book "In Every Heartbeat" by Kim Vogel Sawyer from Bethany House Publishers as part of their book review program.

This story is about three friends who know each other from growing up in the same orphanage together. Libby Conley, Pete Leidig, and Bennett Martin are given the opportunity to go to college together. The story takes place when the world was on the brink of World War I. As their lives begin to take different paths at college their friendships are put to the test. Libby hopes to become a journalist; however, through certain circumstances and her new found faith in God she end up deciding that being famous may not be as important as writing the truth. Pete feels called to be a minister and through Libby's discovery of his family's secret he must seek the Lord for what to do. Bennett planned to pledge in a fraternity and wants to be popular, but after seeing his friends' faith, he begins to question what is important to him as well. Through all of this, Pete and Libby realize their love for one another.

This story was enjoyable to read and kept my interest. I found it neat to read about their college experiences trying to picture what college life was like back then. Overall, a wonderful story about faith and friendship that I would recommend to everyone.

DVD Review: "The Way Home"

I received the movie "The Way Home" from the Booksneeze book review program as a complimentary copy to review. The opinions listed below are honest and are mine. This movie is based on a true story which I personally love movies like that. It really makes the characters seem more real to me knowing someone really experienced the story. In "The Way Home," Dean Cain plays the role of Randy Simpkins who is always busy with his work. He struggles, like many parents do today, between juggling work and family. His wife, Christal, asks Randy to watch their son, Joe, for a few short minutes and in those minutes Joe disappears. Randy was distracted by work when Joe disappears; therefore, Randy feels very responsible and the rest of the story and movie is him in a desperate search for his son. On the way, he finds himself on a journey back to God and he realizes that nothing is more important than family. This is a wonderful Christian based film that I will share with my family for years to come.

Book Review: "Which None Can Shut" by Reema Goode

I recently received a complimentary copy of the amazing book "Which None Can Shut" by Reema Goode from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review program. The opinions listed below are mine and are my honest opinion.

Reema Goode, her husband, and two children are living in what most would consider a dark place for a Christian, the Arabian Peninsula. Here Christians are persecuted beyond what one can imagine; however, this book holds stories of God piercing through the darkness of the Muslim world and reaching lost souls. These are incredible true stories of what has happened in Reema Goode's life while living upon the Muslim community. In America, we can't understand the persecution of Christians that goes on in other areas of the world because we don't experience it firsthand. We may get made fun of or not make a friend because of our Christianity but we do not face death or persecution. This book has truly opened my eyes and heart that God is working in these dark areas of the world even if we think there is no hope for them. Reema Goode writes in a way to make you feel and pray for these people they are living among because God is the God of the impossible and He is opening doors in the Arabian Peninsula and using this family as well as others. I highly recommend this book as an encouragement and also a great eye opener.

Book Review: "OutLive Your Life" by Max Lucado

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "OutLive Your Life" by Max Lucado from Thomas Nelson Publishing as part of the Booksneeze book review program. The opinions listed below are honest and are mine.

First of all, I love Max Lucado's books and really enjoy reading all of them. This one was no exception. He writes in such a clear and easy to understand way for Christians of all walks with the Lord to understand. This book is about how we are all called to live our lives to make a difference no matter how incapable we may feel. It tells how the disciples were ordinary "blue collar" workers and how Jesus chose them and what a difference they made. We, too, are called to DO something in today's society. There are so many people around us who need help and what are we doing about it? This book was such a challenge and inspiration to me to get up and do something with my life for the Lord. I highly recommend this book to every Believer.

Book Review: "One Hand, Two Hands" by Max Lucado

I recently received "One Hand, Two Hands" by Max Lucado from Thomas Nelson Publishing as part of the Booksneeze book review program. The opinions listed below are honest and are mine. I opened this book from the mail and my children instantly fell in love with it. The illustrations are so eye catching for children. This is a wonderful and adorable story of how we use our hands every day. It is written in rhyme which my children love and goes through different ways we use our two hands from the mundane things to how we can use them to help and serve others. I love that the story ends with ways little ones can help out their family and friends by serving and being kind. My four year old really enjoyed that part and the prayer for God to use her hands at the end of the story. I would recommend this book to all parents who have children and are looking for a great story to teach them about using and serving the Lord with their hands.

Book Review: "The Butterfly Effect" by Andy Andrews

I recently received "The Butterfly Effect" by Andy Andrews as from Thomas Nelson Publishing as part of the Booksneeze book review program. The opinions listed below are mine and are honest. This book is a wonderful encouragement and reminder to us all that our lives matter and can make a difference. The subtitle says, "How Your Life Matters," and this is a unique look at how one person can make a difference. Andy Andrews inspires readers to make a difference by telling of a Civil War hero and goes on from there to tell other stories of historical figures. This would make a great gift book to encourage and inspire anyone to live a life of purpose because we all do truly make a difference to someone around us, even if we don't realize it.

Book Review: "The Boy Who Changed the World" by Andy Andrews

I recently received "The Boy Who Changed the World" by Andy Andrews from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of the Booksneeze book review program. The opinions below are mine and are honest opinions of the book. I really enjoyed this book and so did my two girls. The colorful and engaging illustrations by Philip Hurst kept their attention and my 4 1/2 year old sat still for the entire story. The book begins with the story of a boy, Norman Borlaug, and goes through others in history such as Henry Wallace, George Washington Carver, and Moses Carver. It tells a wonderful story of how one child can make a huge difference and change the world. The book is based on the adult version of "The Butterfly Effect" but is written in a way for children to understand that they, too, can make a huge difference with one small dream or action. This book is a wonderful book for children to realize that they can make a difference and also gives them a great history lesson at the same time by introducing them to people in the past that made a difference.