by | Book Reviews
If you haven’t yet begun to read the Dinah Harris mystery series from Julie Cave, you are SERIOUSLY missing out. I thought the third and final book in the trilogy, Pieces of Light, wouldn’t come out soon enough. I got my hands on it as quick as I could. I literally absorbed the book in a day and a half.
Let me catch you up.
The first book, Deadly Disclosures introduces us to Dinah Harris, an alcholic FBI agent lost in her own world of sadness. Investigating a murder of the Smithsonian Secretary, Dinah not only solves a murder case, but her life takes a drastic turn.
The second book in the series, The Shadowed Mind, follows Harris again as she faces the daily battle of staying sober. Murder after murder, things begin to hit too close to home for Dinah.
And then we come to book number three, Pieces of Light. Dinah is back on top of her game, at least for a little bit. You can always count on things to be shaken up. This time Dinah reaches out to a convicted murderer on death row as she begins to write her book. Once again, things start to hit home with her.
The action doesn’t stop in the book. I was hooked from the moment I started reading. Perhaps that’s why I stayed up until 1 am reading. I made some predictions in the begginig chapters of the book and I was right on. See if you can do the same.
Once again, I felt like I was part of the story throughout the book. Julie Cave took me along for a mysterious, action-packed, emotionial ride through the story of Dinah Harris. I felt like I was on the streets of DC running after the bad guys and soaking up late night coffee with Harris and her partners.
The book ended with great potential for another series. I’m hoping I haven’t heard the last of Julie Cave, or Dinah Harris for that matter.
If you haven’t read Pieces of Light, purchase it today. You won’t regret it.
Follow Julie Cave for information on order the soon to be released bundle of the Dinah Harries series.
by | Book Reviews
This book sat at the foot of my bed for a few weeks. I would walk into my room, stare at the package and think to myself, I need to read that. Looking back now I know it wasn’t the right time. A Deeper Kind of Calm stayed in that same spot until God knew I was ready for it.
“Pain is pain, and all pain hurts,” writes author Linda Dillow. We all experience pain in our lives. Perhaps you’re walking through some pain right now wondering when the end of the hurting will come.
After another doctor’s appointment and still no answers I was out of words to say. I would lie in bed crying, repeatedly telling God, “I don’t understand!” I didn’t want to speak to anyone. I didn’t want to see anyone. Then God said, “It’s time.”
I picked up the book and began to read. In the first chapter Dillow asked a question. “What do we do when pain overtakes the path of delight we had planned?” My plan was shifted and I was tired. Tired of trying to understand. I was in my own “Valley of Weeping.”
By chapter two I still didn’t understand, but I was choosing to be still. Trying to be quiet long enough to see what God wanted me to see out of this book. Did He ever show me.
Dillow took me through the Psalms and I was quickly able to take the focus off myself and put it on the Lord. I was able to remember the things He had done for me in the past and to meditate on His promises for the future. I was able to be still for the first time in a long time.
Linda says when choosing to remember what God has done for us, “Learning to see from God’s perspective is critical if we are to turn our Valley of Weeping into a Place of Blessing, our sorrow into signifigance, our failures into faith.
I have so many things underlined in this book it’s unbelievable. There was a big chunk of meaty truth in every paragraph of this amazing, life-changing book.
It’s a short read, but I took my time, wanting to absorb all that God was teaching me through the words of A Deeper Kind of Calm. Another added bonus is that there is a Bible Study included with the book. You can answer personal questions in the back of the book that give you more reflection time.
This book is a must read for anyone struggling through pain right now, or that has walked through their own Valley of Weeping in the past.
I would let you borrow my copy, but it’s a book I plan to read over and over again.
To purchase your copy of A Deeper Kind of Calm, click here.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
by | Book Reviews
“If we want to truly get close to God, we’ll have to distance ourselves from other things.”
These are the words from Lysa TerKeurst in her popular new book, Made To Crave. This book is powerful, real, and down-to-the-grind.
Before I go any further in my review, let me just say This is NOT another diet, lose weight quickly book. Lysa reveals the truth of her struggle with weight and shares her inspirational story of how she finally conquered her battle through Jesus Christ.
When turning the pages of Made To Crave, I felt like I was sitting in the living room over tea and carrot sticks with Lysa, while we chatted about our common struggles.
“We were made for victory. Sometimes we just have to find our way to that truth.” Finding victory over food is hard to do. Finding victory over any stronghold is hard to do, especially when we try to do it on our own. Made To Crave doesn’t just fit those struggling with food; it can touch anyone struggling with anything that pulls them away from God.
“If we fail to understand how to fill our souls with spiritual nourishment, we will forever be triggered to numb our longings with other temporary physical pleasures.” Can I get an amen?!
Made To Crave was a great, simple, impacting, inspirational read. You won’t walk away disappointed. This is definitely a book you don’t want to store away. Pass it on to someone else and get them started on the road to victory with these inspiring words from Lysa.
If you have already read Made To Crave, what was one of your favorite quotes from the book?
by | Book Reviews
Yesterday I shared a video trailer with you from the new book, Church Diversity: Sunday, The Most Segregated Day of the Week from author Scott Williams.
How far have we come since the Civil Rights movement and the famous “I Have A Dream Speech” from Martin Luther King, Jr.? Are we all accepted as one? Perhaps we are in the every day ins and outs of life, but what about on Sundays? What about in our churches?
Williams gives some amazing eye opening statements in this sure to be controversial book.
“Church Diversity is more than a book — it’s a movement of God, pastors, ministry leaders, volunteers, congregants, and the community at large.” Are you ready for the movement? Or will you just consider this another book to read? I hope we all choose option one.
Williams says in Church Diversity of this movement, “We are the change. We are the change that impacts our little pockets of the globe that we call our community. God has not only allowed you to be a part of your community, but you have been given the responsibility to influence your little piece of the globe.”
You get a glimpse into the difference between simply tolerating diversity and what it means to truly embrace it.
Each chapter begins with an opportunity to view a challenging video, and each chapter ends with some great reflection questions sure to keep your
mind and heart challenged.
I love this quote from Scott: “Change your perspective, change the game!” What’s your perspective?
Be part of the movement and order your copy of Church Diversity today!
Next week Lyn Smith and I have the opportunity to talk with Scott Williams on Living Truth. Join us next Wednesday at 2p CST.
by | Book Reviews
I am excited to be part of one of Social Media’s largest Blog Tours thanks to author Scott Williams and New Leaf Publishing Group.
Scott Williams served on staff as a key leader and campus pastor at LifeChurch.tv, one of the largest and most innovative churches in America. He is an effective speaker, strategist, ministry consultant, entrepreneur and popular social media influencer for pastors and ministries around the globe. He is an avid blogger at BigIsTheNewSmall.com. Scott is married, a father of two, and lives in Oklahoma City, OK.
Scott has boldly written a new book titled, Church Diversity: Sunday, The Most Segregated Day of the Week.
Check out this video trailer for the upcoming release of the book. Stay tuned tomorrow for a review of the book.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClYiNNT7_1w]
Have you ordered the book yet? You can do so here.
by | Book Reviews
“Wherever you are, a new story is just waiting to be written, and you are the only one who can write it.”
Amazing words of wisdom from Jan Silvious in her book, Same Life, New Story. I was captivated from the moment my eyes met the pages.
Silvious teaches us in the book, which can also be used as a Bible study, how you can Change Your Perspective to Change Your Life. Each chapter walks you through stories of courageous women in the Bible who chose to write a new story in their life, and also includes personal stories from real women today.
Silvious closes each chapter with personal reflection questions, journaling topics, and group discussion questions.
Jan talks about overcoming life and getting rid of the victim mentality, tossing out those negative thoughts that we let take space in our minds, God’s wisdom, letting go of fear and doubts, and more.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“People somewhere are reading our stories right now. And even when we are gone, those people will remember things about us and the stories we have told with our lives.”
“God promises that He is listening. He hears the whispers of your heart.”
“He writes with a soft-tipped pen when he deals with our broken and grieving hearts.”
This book is a must read for all, no matter what stage of life you’re in.
If you haven’t yet begun to read the Dinah Harris mystery series from Julie Cave, you are SERIOUSLY missing out. I thought the third and final book in the trilogy, Pieces of Light, wouldn’t come out soon enough. I got my hands on it as quick as I could. I literally absorbed the book in a day and a half.
