Summer's List by Anita Higman

Summer Snow has had a difficult life. She cared for her two ailing parents instead of going off to college with her friends. After her parents died, she took over for her grandmother in running a small bookstore that was owned by her grandmother. She has been engaged and recently broke off that engagement. She missed some fun things along the way and is beginning to realize that.

Her beloved grandmother makes a list for Summer of things she wants Summer to do that is outside of her comfort zone. One of them is to reconnect with Martin Langtree, a childhood friend, who she lost touch with many years ago. Besides giving her the list, Summer's grandmother tells her that she is dying and wants to see Summer begin doing the things on her list before she dies.

As Summer reconnects with Martin, she discovers that Martin has his own issues to deal with including having a dysfunctional family. As they begin to do some of the things on Summer's list, they begin to reconnect and realize their relationship goes deeper than friendship.

The characters are interesting and the plot is engaging. It is an enjoyable reading experience.
I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.

Whatever Is Lovely - A Coloring Book for Reflection and Worship

I had heard about adult coloring books, but had not seen one until I saw "Whatever is Lovely." This is an absolutely beautiful coloring book intended to be used for quiet reflection and worship. Scripture, quotations and lyrics from familiar hymns are included in the artwork. This would be a great way to quiet your spirit and relax and use your creativity in coloring these beautiful and inspirational sayings. Suggested songs to listen to while you are meditating and coloring are listed in the back of the book. You can do this as an act of worship alone or join others as you color.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. 

I'm Happy for You (Sort Of...Not Really) by Kay Wills Wyma

Comparing ourselves to others is a deadly trap. It can lead to discontentment, envy and rob us of joy. Kay Wills Wyma discusses how we can find contentment in a culture of comparison through her experiences and the experiences of her children. As a mother of five, she has many illustrations of coping with friends who are thinner, wealthier, and have children who excel more than hers. In sharing about this, the author points out that we only see a "glimpse" of the other person's life and story and really do not know what is all going on with them in their life. I really appreciated her humor and practical wisdom in dealing with this topic.

Even though my children are grown and I am at a different stage of life than the author, I can still relate to the temptation of comparing myself and my life to others. I think it is a human tendency that everyone can relate to. I thoroughly enjoyed this thought provoking book, and will try to remember the next time someone goes on about all of their accomplishments or those of their children, to respond with "I am happy for you."

There are discussion questions at the back of the book which would make it a good choice for a book discussion group or as part of a Bible study. I highly recommend this entertaining and informative book.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.  

Farewell Four Waters by Kate McCord

This book is based on real life events faced by the author and other aid workers in Afghanistan in 2008. The story is a fascinating one as the main character, Marie, comes to terms with a number of changes from a co-worker and roommate leaving, to the killing of an aid worker in Kabul and the start of a literacy program in a nearby village. Through Marie's eyes you get a close up view of the Afghan people and culture and the precautions taken by foreign workers to keep themselves out of harm's way.

Marie's descriptions of her relationships with the Afghan women and how she weaves her faith into everyday conversations with them is inspiring. While respecting the Afghan's Muslim beliefs she is able to share Messiah Jesus through her storytelling. Her love for the Afghan people is evident in all of her relationships. You also get a first hand account of the feelings involved when Marie and her coworkers have to evacuate their village on short notice.

I would highly recommend this book for a look at what it is to be a foreign aid worker in Afghanistan and an insight into the culture in Afghanistan. The culture is a complex one with the various ethnic group warring against each other. There seems to be no easy answers to bring about peace in this country.

I received this book from Moody Publishing for this review.

Tough As They Come By SSG Travis Mills

This inspiring story about a soldier who survived quadruple amputee injuries. At the time the book was published, he was only one of five who have survived. Travis Mills is a unique individual who chose to overcome his injuries with enormous willpower and endurance. His story includes his deployments in Afghanistan  and the missions he was involved in. After reading about the conditions in Afghanistan, I have an enormous amount of respect for all of  our soldiers who serve there under those challenging conditions.

Travis Mills relates his growing up years along with how he met and married his wife, Kelsey. Again, you get an insight into what families of our soldiers have to deal with. Much of the book deals with Travis' rehabilitation and recovery. It is an inspiring story of a soldier who was driven by love for his family and his country to overcome enormous challenges. His story is both heart wrenching and honest and you cannot help to be inspired and encouraged by it.

I received this book for this review from Blogging for Books.  

The Heaven Promise by Scot McKnight

This book about Heaven is an engaging look at what the Bible says about Heaven. The book is divided into four main sections: The Heaven Question; The Heaven Promise; God's Six Promises about Heaven: and Ten Questions about Heaven. The sections help to focus in on specific issues about Heaven in an organized manner.

There are four elements which shape everything about Heaven. They are: Heaven is a promise; Everything about this promise depends on Jesus' resurrection; In Heaven we will have resurrected bodies; and We will have embodied lives in the new Heavens and earth. Heaven is for those who long to gaze on the beautiful face of God. For those of us as Christians, we long to see a glimpse of God's glory. That will be fulfilled in Heaven. For now we have only an ultrasound image compared to the living interactive reality of God we will experience in Heaven.

The last section deals with questions about Heaven that are commonly asked. Some of the questions include: what about near-death experiences, who will be in Heaven, will there be pets in Heaven and will there be families?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this informative approach to Heaven. It is the best book on Heaven that I have read and I would recommend it highly. 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

A Refuge at Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

Fans of Downton Abbey will enjoy  this series set in Edwardian England. "A Refuge at Highland Hall" is book three in the Edwardian Brides series. You can read this book as a stand alone novel without having read the first two books. However,  there are a lot of characters that were developed in the previous books so the list of characters in the front of the book is helpful.

As Britain is involved in World War I , Penny Ramsey leaves London with her married sister and brother-in-law who have taken in eight orphan children. They go to Highland Hall after the bombing begins in London. Penny develops a friendship with Alex Goodwin, a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in training.

As their relationship develops while Alex is at war, you get a sense of what a service pilot's life was like during the war as well as the hardships faced at home. Their relationship has some challenges as the realities of war and hardship hit home. For all of the characters, their faith in God is their anchor and hope during the challenging times.

 There are also some interesting side plots involving the interment camps for German men who happened to be living in Britain at the beginning of the war and the interaction of those Germans with the British people.

This is an enjoyable read for those who like historical romances set during World War I.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.