Book Review, "House of Mercy," by Erin Healy

Beth Borzoi is standing on the edge and her world is falling apart.  She has the gift of healing and wants to be a vet.  But, in one night she makes one bad decision and the repercussions are unbearable - a lawsuit, a death, a divided family, and her dreams are lost.

This appeared to be the kind of book that I most enjoy, but I have to say it did not produce.  The sub-plots are many and disconnected.  I really had a hard time keeping tract of all that was going on.  Also, I can't really say that I like Beth too much.  She appeared to be without emotions.  On top of which, there really was no resolution to the bad decision she made.  The theme of the book is mercy and I get that, but I think it took too many side trips.

At this point in time I would probably try another book by Erin Healy and I would hope I would enjoy it more.

I received this ebook free from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

FAITH - Focus on Truth

Teach me your way, O Lord, tat I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.  Psalm 86:11

Who is in control of your life?  Are you busy, busy, busy; stressed to the max 24/7?  If so then I would have to think that you believe that you or some other person is your only hope.  You believe you are capable of handling anything that pops up in your life.  Been there, done that and unfortunately slip up and do it again from time to time!!  The TRUTH is God is the one in control and He is the one who makes us capable.  Once we can focus on this, then we can live a life surrendered to Him.  To live a life of Faith, we need to acknowledge this truth.  When we try to control everything - Murphy's law prevails - if it can go wrong, it will!!  Once we accept that God is in control of everything, then we need to give Him control of our life.  To live a life walking by faith, we need to know that we can't, but God can.  We make the choice - put Him in control and let Him do everything, or stay in control ourselves and let Him do nothing!!  We are only human and it is hard at times to believe that one God can take care of everybody & everything.  We tend to think that we have to help by doing some things ourselves.  If you are like me, it's the little things, if you will, that I try to take care of.  You know, why worry God with the small stuff - He has SO many to take care of.  But the BIG stuff, well that is different - only He can handle that!!  FAITH is believing the TRUTH that our God is Omnipotent.  He cares for EACH of us and for ALL of us.  Let's leave our lives in His hands.  Take care dear friends.  See ya at the House!!

FOCUS ON TODAY

Hebrews 3:15:.....while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in rebellion."

Do you realize when you are focused on tomorrow, next week, or even next month, the chances are you have totally missed out on recognizing the blessings of today!  For instance, have you noticed the beautiful day we are having, have you been fed, what about what you are wearing.  Unfortunately, we tend to take these things for granted and fail to see them as blessings, much less daily blessings.  Matthew 6:30 tells us "today" is what is important.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow.  To live by faith our decisions should be based on what we can do today.  Let God take care of tomorrow.  Focusing on the big picture, we tend to become overwhelmed.  "The power of walking in faith is having enough faith to get through today.  When we set our focus on today we begin to plant the seeds of tomorrow and we will reap a harvest!" (1)  The only way to walk in God's will is to walk in faith.

So, does this mean we can sit idly by?  No, we need to plant the seeds of tomorrow today.  What does this mean?  We don't plant corn seeds and worry about harvesting tomatoes.  Corn seeds yield corn.  So, plant the seeds you are able to plant today.  Then we will joyfully anticipate our harvest!! Learn to trust that the blessings will come and let the the excitement in the surprises of tomorrow fill our heart.

Take care dear friends!!  See you at the House!
(1) FAITH by Heather Bixler

FAITH - Matt 14:22-23

Have you ever said, "Yes I have faith and it is SO strong!!"  I have been known to say, "My God is a God of miracles and I believe (have faith) this, or that will happen!"  Yet, when a friend is healed from back pain, or a lump is removed - I am amazed!  Where is my faith!!  In my heart, which I gave to Jesus thirty-three years ago, I do believe.  But, my head has problems believing what I can't see (Hebrews 11:1).  I choose to have faith, now I need to work on living by faith on a daily basis - not on a "need to have" basis!! My struggle is giving God complete control of my life.  Join me as I make this journey!!  Take care dear friends.  See ya at the house!!

EYES OF JUSTICE by Lis Wiehl with April Henry

One of the Triple Threat is murdered!!  The other two are devastated.  Then they are told they cannot participate in finding the killer and bringing him or her to justice.  They try to keep a low profile until the killer strikes again!  What is going on?

I received this book for review on Tuesday and finished it on Wednesday!!  Could not put it down!!  Had a hard time adjusting to one of the Triple Threat being murdered.  Then to be told they could not participate in bringing the killer to justice - WRONG!!  They find an ally in a private investigator who is a "bit" quirky and unorthodox, but she helps them try to pull the pieces together to identify the killer.  Then the killer strikes again!  Super good book.  If you are a fan of Lis Wiehl and the Triple Threat series, you will definitely want to read this one.  If you have not read any of the series, you may want to read the others before you read this one.  Not absolutely necessary, but gives a certain cohesiveness.

Disclosure:  I received this book free from the publisher's bloggers review program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions are my own.

WNNER!!

We have a WINNER!!  Wanda Reed in MO has won the book ILLUSION, by Frank Peretti.  Congratulations Wanda!  And thanks for your comment on my blog.  I will be in touch to get the book in the mail to you.  Have a great day!  See you at the House!!

BOOK GIVEAWAY

Here it is!!  I have a copy of Illusion by Frank Peretti to give away.  So here's the deal - go to my blog, Great-grammyB.blogspot.com and comment on my review.  I will enter your name in a jar and on March 24, 2012 I will draw a name.  Leave me your email address and I will notify you as soon as I draw a name.  Thanks!!  Believe me you will enjoy it.

ILLUSION by Frank Peretti

I was so excited when I found out Frank Peretti had written a new novel!  And then I was given the opportunity to review it!  Could it get any better than that -- as a matter of fact, Yes, it could!!!  It may have been a while since we have had a new novel from Mr Peretti, but this was worth waiting for.  It is not so much like his previous novels.  This is a love story.  Dane & Mandy Collins have been married for forty years.  They have a popular magic act.  They have finished a show in Las Vegas and are headed to Idaho when they are involved in a head on collision.  Mandy was driving and was trapped in the car.  Dane tries to rescue, but she dies in the hospital.  But did she?!?  Actually she wakes up in her hometown at the age of 19, but in present time!!She is thought to be crazy, winds up in the mental ward, escapes and discovers a strange magical ability to pass invisibly through time and space.  She begins performing magic on the street and in a coffee shop.

Dane is having a difficult time trying to adjust to life without Mandy.  He hopes by going to the coffee shop he will discover a new talent that he can mentor.  What he discovers is a teenager who in every respect is identical to the young beauty he first met and married some forty years ago.  Difference is - she doesn't know who he is and has never met him!!!

It just gets better.  There are also some people who know who she is, where her abilities come from and how she travels through time - are they the good guys?  I guess you will just have to read the book.  I highly recommend it.

Disclosure:  I received this book free from the publisher's bloggers review program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions are my own.

BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!

Another beautiful day in NC!!  Do you ever get tired of looking at God's handiwork?  Granted some days are more beautiful than others, some places more so than others, but, seriously, what an awesome God we have!!!  I just can't believe that it all just evolved.  I have to believe that everything was planned, right down to that little bitty ant that aggravates you when you are trying to have a picnic - or that mosquito that loves to bite when you want to enjoy a night on the front porch!  But that's okay, 'cause there is a plan for everything, we just don't know what that plan is, nor do we need to know.  God is in control and for me that is all that matters.  Well, I have to get busy cleaning my house, not my favorite thing to do.  So, take care dear friends - see you at the House!!

So Excited!!!

I am so excited!!  I have been chosen to review Frank Peretti's new novel!! He is one of my favorite Christian authors and has not written a new book in quite a few years.  I am so looking forward to receiving my copy for review.  Keep checking back - as soon as I can I will publish my review!!  Plus, I will have one to give away.  Now I have to decide what kind of contest to have with that as the prize.  Have any suggestions, just send me a comment and I will consider all I get.

Bobby & I so far are having a really good new year!  Now, he did have to have shoulder surgery yesterday, but Praise the Lord, everything went better that fine!!  In fact he didn't even have to stay overnight.  I brought him home yesterday afternoon.  Now, don't ask me what kind of patient he is - because all I will say on that is that he is typically a man!!  Wives, you know what I am talking about!  But, we love them so much that we can look over any crankeness and just pray they get better soon!!  I am teasing about this, because Bobby really is a good patient.  I can remember a time when I would not have been able to say that, but the more we both grow in the Lord, the better our outlook is on ALL things!!

Enough for right now.  I plan on being better with my blog, so, let's see how that goes!!  Take care dear friends and I'll see you at the House!

HEART OF ICE by Lis Wiehl & April Henry

     Triple treat novels deal with three independent and intelligent women - a TV reporter, a Federal prosecutor, and an FBI agent.  In this third book of the series, Cassidy Shaw, TV reporter, has made friends with Elizabeth Avery, a fitness instructor.  Cassidy introduces Elizabeth to her two best friends, Allison Pierce, federal prosecutor, and Nicki Hedges, a FBI special agent.  She envisions all of her friends getting along and doing things together.  What she doesn't know is that Elizabeth has dark secrets.  There are several plots in this one book, but the authors tie them all together and doesn't miss a step.  Allison and Nicki are working on two seemingly unrelated crimes.  And Elizabeth is doing anything it takes to reach the goal she has set for herself - even  murder!  I like the way the authors bring everything together and at the same time give you information on the personal lives of the Triple threat ladies.

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

AWAKENING by Stovall Weems

     "In a world filled with Twitter, Facebook, and so much noise and clutter, we can easily get distracted and "gunked up" spiritually---bogged down in our relationship with God.  But according to Stovall Weems, there's a powerful, new school way to hit the reset button and find the thriving life God promises."

     Has your walk with God slowed down, maybe even gotten a little bit stale?  If so, this is a book you should definitely read.  In His own words, Jesus has said that he came to earth so that we could experience an abundant life.  Awakening will show you how to get off the sidelines.  You should get the passion, zeal, and authenticity that describes the person who loves God!  You will get a 21-Day Plan to help give you the principles that ensure a lasting, vital relationship with God.  That plan includes prayer, personal devotions, and fasting.  Expect great things to happen!

 

Disclaimer:  I received this book free from the publisher Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing group.  I was not required to give a positive review.