Category: Bethany House

Goodreads Synopsis:

True Story of Courage and Compassion in a School Under Siege
As 870 children waited in fear, their elementary school rushed into lockdown mode. As the nation faced yet another Sandy Hook story of tragedy, one woman rewrote the ending.
Yet the story doesn’t start with those first steps Michael Hill took into that Atlanta elementary school. It starts with Antoinette Tuff, a woman who faced her own pain, hurt, and rejection, yet held onto grace, faith, and hope. A hope that anchored her in the most high stakes of moments, a grace that allowed her to empathize with a hurting young man, and a faith that gave her the courage to love him back from the brink.
This is more than just the amazing account of tragedy averted. It’s the evidence of what we can do when we allow ourselves to be used by God. And it’s a story of how God uses “all “of our life experiences–the good and the bad–to prepare us for our own moment of divine purpose.

My Review:

I love reading inspiring non fiction books and this one was no disappointment! Antoinette Tuff’s story about her life and the shooting is inspiring none the less. I could not put this book down! I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for her to be in a situation like she was and not panic! I believe that God was with her throughout the whole situation! I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Bethany House.

Goodreads Synopsis:

“True love waits”–but what exactly are you waiting for? After all, we’re constantly bombarded with Hollywood’s idea of romance–that sex is no big deal, that everyone is doing it, that it’s the only path to a happy ending. Maybe you’ve even begun to wonder, What am I missing? Is the wait really worth it?
Marian Jordan Ellis has been there. She knows the pitfalls of giving in to temptation–but also the blessings of God’s best found in waiting after she committed herself to Christ and to sexual purity. Now, from one Christian woman to another, she hopes to spare you from the heartache of sexual sin and instead point you toward God’s best. Marian offers lots of practical advice, backed by biblical truth, to equip you with the tools to overcome past mistakes and future temptations.

You are cherished. Whether you are happily single, casually dating, or have found “the one,” your purity is worth fighting for.

My Review:

When I first seen the title of this book, I thought why would there be a book with this title. Shouldn’t the inside cover be blank? Then I realized that Marian Jordan Ellis was trying to explain her struggles and how Christian girls still have struggles when it comes to Purity. With every media outlet pushing sexual desires at our generation no wonder many Christian girls don’t have more problems than they actually have. I loved how the author put quotes from popular movies into the book to show girls that there are actually good quotes that come from the movies, but that you should be careful what you watch. Living in today’s world is hard and I think that every girl and mother should read this book. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Bethany House Publishing.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Be Blessed Tonight
Feel the concerns of your day fade away through the reassuring promises of God. These blessings offer refreshment to your soul and a biblical perspective to your thoughts.
Borne from Susie Larson’s own bouts with nighttime worries, each blessing and related Scripture is a daily, soothing reminder of God’s love and mercy.
“May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.”

My Review:

Blessings for the Evening was a great book! Every night I have read one of the “blessings” that are in the book. Each and everyone of them spoke to my heart when I read them. Susie Larson definitely is great at taking Bible verses and putting a devotion with them that helps with everyday life. I looked forward to reading each of the blessings every night with my daily bible reading before I went to bed. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Bethany House Publishers.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Judith Miller’s Novels Offer a Fascinating Look inside the Amana Colonies

Joining the communal society of the Amana Colonies isn’t what Jancey Rhoder planned for her future, but when unforeseen circumstances force her family to make some difficult decisions, she chooses to give up her teaching position in a Kansas City orphanage and move with her parents to Iowa.

Her besotted suitor, Nathan Woodward, isn’t at all happy about the move and is determined to get Jancey to change her mind. And Jancey herself isn’t sure what she’s gotten herself into when the simple life of the Amana Colonies means she’ll be assigned a job and may have to give up teaching for good. Will Nathan woo her back to the city, or will she be forever changed by the mysterious events and new relationships that await her in the quiet villages of the Amana Colonies–and decide to make this unique place her forever home?

My Review:
This book looked good from the cover which it was just that, good. I didn’t think it was a 5 star novel, but it could be because this was a second book in a series. I didn’t have background information to know what the Amana colonies were. After a little research, i knew what it was, but I really don’t like to research to read a book! I did like the book and the characters. Jancey was a good character, but could’ve had a little more depth to the character. Overall, I liked the book. I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Bethany House Publishing.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he’s forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man’s daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he’s haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind–a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the person is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna’s outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?

My review:

This book draws you in the very first chapter that you read with a train robbery, but they did not take the valuables, only the preacher. I like the way that the author let you read from each characters point of view. That way you can learn about each character in an intimate way. There were several unexpected events that happened and kept my interest throughout the book. I loved that the book ended with an epilogue, I am always curious to see what happens next. I give the book a 4.5 stars out of 5.

I received this book free in exchange for my honest review from Bethany House.

Synopsis on Goodreads:

An Amazing True Story of Angelic Intervention in a Desperate Situation
The Stadlers’ harrowing journey began with a midnight crash caused by a drunk driver. The odds they would both survive the crash were minimal–a testimony to the miracles that began that night and continued through months of surgeries and hospitalizations. The Stadlers struggled to rebuild their lives, only to face more heartache and loss. But through the hard times, their faith grew as God continued to save them from despair and bring blessings into their lives.
For everyone seeking a deeper faith or affirmation of their belief in a good God, this book will provide hope and the reassurance that God still ministers through his angels today.

My Review:

I loved this book so much! I read the synopsis when it came out in the nonfiction blog list that Bethany House sent me and knew that I just had to read this book! The way that Dann Stadler told his story made you feel like you were right there at the scene! The stories and miracles that he told were just more revealing about how God is there for people who love and believe in him. I gave this book a 5 out of 5 stars!

I received this book free in exchange for my honest review from Bethany House.