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Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated The Memory House in Books
Apr 15, 2019
characters (1 more)
plot line
Timeless and Gripping!
When I pick up a Rachel Hauck novel, I don’t have to wonder if I’ll like it, or if it will be one that I will put down and walk away from. Because, when I read a novel by this phenomenally fantastic author, I will love it and I will most certainly not walk away from the novel. In fact, I always read a Hauck novel in less than 48 hours.
The Memory House is a moving and captivating story. It’s chiseled magnificently and really makes the reader feel as if they are the heart of the story. It’s told in trademark Hauck style of dual timelines, but is still absolutely gripping. Each page turn tells more of Beck and Everleigh’s stories, and each turn of the page, opens the readers eyes just a little more.
Having been through hard times in life, I sometimes find myself questioning God, and wondering if anything good will come of my situations. Then, with a little faith and hope, He shows me that nothing is for naught, and everything will be just fine, even if it feels like the end. Beck and Everleigh, both dealt heartache and pain in their lives, blossomed for me and I saw a little bit of myself in each of them.
This story is filled with love, hope, faith, and heartache. This story is filled with beautiful souls, and a plot line that will leave you wanting more from this fantabulous author. From start to finish, you’ll fall more and more in love with these tender characters. You’ll feel the messages surround you, and you’ll hear God whispering throughout.
Don’t waste another minute without grabbing this book. If you’ve never read a Hauck novel before you’ll be a fan for life. If you’re a current fan, you’ll find yourself lost in another amazing novel by Hauck. Definitely worthy of 4 stars, two thumbs and hats off. I can’t wait to share this novel with my friends and family.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
The Memory House is a moving and captivating story. It’s chiseled magnificently and really makes the reader feel as if they are the heart of the story. It’s told in trademark Hauck style of dual timelines, but is still absolutely gripping. Each page turn tells more of Beck and Everleigh’s stories, and each turn of the page, opens the readers eyes just a little more.
Having been through hard times in life, I sometimes find myself questioning God, and wondering if anything good will come of my situations. Then, with a little faith and hope, He shows me that nothing is for naught, and everything will be just fine, even if it feels like the end. Beck and Everleigh, both dealt heartache and pain in their lives, blossomed for me and I saw a little bit of myself in each of them.
This story is filled with love, hope, faith, and heartache. This story is filled with beautiful souls, and a plot line that will leave you wanting more from this fantabulous author. From start to finish, you’ll fall more and more in love with these tender characters. You’ll feel the messages surround you, and you’ll hear God whispering throughout.
Don’t waste another minute without grabbing this book. If you’ve never read a Hauck novel before you’ll be a fan for life. If you’re a current fan, you’ll find yourself lost in another amazing novel by Hauck. Definitely worthy of 4 stars, two thumbs and hats off. I can’t wait to share this novel with my friends and family.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
God's Promises - A Study Of Bible Verses
Lifestyle and Reference
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Find inspiration and encouragement every day from God's Word with over 800+ Bible verses designed to...
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Home At Last in Books
Mar 9, 2021
Ruth Pearson wrote Home at Last during the pandemic for those who have felt discouraged and afraid about the future. Suggesting Covid-19 could be a sign of the Second Coming, Pearson focused on three questions to prepare the reader for such an event. 1. How important is God in your life? 2. Do you have a personal relationship with God? 3. Where are you planning to spend eternity?
Using examples from the Bible, Pearson explores the idea of a journey of faith. Several characters in the Bible went on journeys that brought them closer to God. Pearson uses the Parable of the Prodigal Son to explain the notion of "coming home" to God. Readers may have drifted away from the creator, but He will welcome them back with open arms. The story of Ruth and Naomi explores faith, and the story of Joshua and Rahab features truth, about which Pearson also writes.
Whilst the ideas in the book are worth pursuing, the written narrative is poor. Pearson is either more confident verbalising her thoughts, or the English language is not her strong point. Frequent spelling and grammatical errors make the book difficult to read, and it is hard to follow the author's thought process.
Pearson claims she wrote the entire book in 48 hours, and I believe her. Although some editing must have occurred, it needs a lot more work to make it a successful seller. It appears the author tried to conclude the narrative several times but thought of more to say. Chapter Nine ends by informing the reader that the next chapter is the last. Chapter Ten concludes the book, only for the reader to turn the page to find another chapter headed "Conclusion".
It is a great shame the quality of writing lets the book down because the ideas could potentially help many new and old Christians. Although she does not reveal her denomination, Pearson's beliefs suggest she is a Seventh-Day Adventist and emphasises the Second Coming. Some readers may be uncomfortable with this, but Pearson's ideas are suitable for all types of Christians.
Using examples from the Bible, Pearson explores the idea of a journey of faith. Several characters in the Bible went on journeys that brought them closer to God. Pearson uses the Parable of the Prodigal Son to explain the notion of "coming home" to God. Readers may have drifted away from the creator, but He will welcome them back with open arms. The story of Ruth and Naomi explores faith, and the story of Joshua and Rahab features truth, about which Pearson also writes.
Whilst the ideas in the book are worth pursuing, the written narrative is poor. Pearson is either more confident verbalising her thoughts, or the English language is not her strong point. Frequent spelling and grammatical errors make the book difficult to read, and it is hard to follow the author's thought process.
Pearson claims she wrote the entire book in 48 hours, and I believe her. Although some editing must have occurred, it needs a lot more work to make it a successful seller. It appears the author tried to conclude the narrative several times but thought of more to say. Chapter Nine ends by informing the reader that the next chapter is the last. Chapter Ten concludes the book, only for the reader to turn the page to find another chapter headed "Conclusion".
It is a great shame the quality of writing lets the book down because the ideas could potentially help many new and old Christians. Although she does not reveal her denomination, Pearson's beliefs suggest she is a Seventh-Day Adventist and emphasises the Second Coming. Some readers may be uncomfortable with this, but Pearson's ideas are suitable for all types of Christians.
Melanie Caldicott (6 KP) rated The Beauty of Your Face in Books
Apr 29, 2021
You can also read my review at my blog - roamingthroughbooks@wordpress.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://roamingthroughbooks@wordpress.com
The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah is a poignantly written story of a Muslim Palestinian family living in America which challenges stereotypes and prejudice through rich characterisation and a moving plotline.
The novel follows the life of Afaf Rahman, beginning at the nail-biting attack of a white extremist at the Muslim high-school of which Afaf is principal. The story then begins to intersperse these dramatic present day events with flashbacks of Afaf’s past, telling us of how an equally devastating event has destructive repercussions upon her family affecting profoundly the woman Afaf has become.
When Afaf was a girl her sister disappears. Each member of the family is impacted by this differently and we see how the different emotions they experience sadly divides the home, leading each of the characters to become more and more isolated in their private, emotional turmoil, unable to share this pain with anyone else.
The emotional level of this book is deep and Mustafah skillfully draws the reader to understand the emotions of each member of the Rahman family, and we become empathetic observers of their descent to a fragmented family torn apart by their grief.
Yet the present day Afaf we meet at the beginning of the book is a strong woman of faith, who appears to be far removed from the young girl of her past. As we journey alongside her we see how her tragic life experiences are not merely deeply painful, but formative and how her Muslim faith becomes the pillar to which she is able to cling and withstand the most horrific of circumstances.
The Beauty of Your Face explores what it means to be a Muslim living in a Western country developing a narrative pursuing themes of assimilation, xenophobia, racism, identity and forgiveness. It is harrowing and shocking at times and does not balk from describing the ugliness of prejudice and racial hatred. Yet, Mustafah ultimately tells a tale of redemption and hope, showing that we can transcend these attitudes and grow instead peace, forgiveness and love.
The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah is a poignantly written story of a Muslim Palestinian family living in America which challenges stereotypes and prejudice through rich characterisation and a moving plotline.
The novel follows the life of Afaf Rahman, beginning at the nail-biting attack of a white extremist at the Muslim high-school of which Afaf is principal. The story then begins to intersperse these dramatic present day events with flashbacks of Afaf’s past, telling us of how an equally devastating event has destructive repercussions upon her family affecting profoundly the woman Afaf has become.
When Afaf was a girl her sister disappears. Each member of the family is impacted by this differently and we see how the different emotions they experience sadly divides the home, leading each of the characters to become more and more isolated in their private, emotional turmoil, unable to share this pain with anyone else.
The emotional level of this book is deep and Mustafah skillfully draws the reader to understand the emotions of each member of the Rahman family, and we become empathetic observers of their descent to a fragmented family torn apart by their grief.
Yet the present day Afaf we meet at the beginning of the book is a strong woman of faith, who appears to be far removed from the young girl of her past. As we journey alongside her we see how her tragic life experiences are not merely deeply painful, but formative and how her Muslim faith becomes the pillar to which she is able to cling and withstand the most horrific of circumstances.
The Beauty of Your Face explores what it means to be a Muslim living in a Western country developing a narrative pursuing themes of assimilation, xenophobia, racism, identity and forgiveness. It is harrowing and shocking at times and does not balk from describing the ugliness of prejudice and racial hatred. Yet, Mustafah ultimately tells a tale of redemption and hope, showing that we can transcend these attitudes and grow instead peace, forgiveness and love.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated If You Leave This Farm: The Dream Is Destroyed in Books
Dec 12, 2017
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review when I signed up to host the book tour.
Four and a half Stars
This story, which is based on actual events in the life of the author took me completely by surprise, especially since this genre is not a usual read for me. In this book, Amanda Farmer allows us to bear witness to the joy and struggles she faced growing up as a Mennonite living and working on the family's farm and she also shed light on the beliefs of the Mennonite community.
I am in awe of her because she truly went through so much and was still able to maintain her faith and achieve her dreams while dealing with a domineering father, chores, and studies. It takes a resilient and strong person to overcome the things she faced. The story as it is told flowed smoothly and I often found myself crying. This is a book that everyone should read as I believe it inspires you to truly follow your dreams.
Four and a half Stars
This story, which is based on actual events in the life of the author took me completely by surprise, especially since this genre is not a usual read for me. In this book, Amanda Farmer allows us to bear witness to the joy and struggles she faced growing up as a Mennonite living and working on the family's farm and she also shed light on the beliefs of the Mennonite community.
I am in awe of her because she truly went through so much and was still able to maintain her faith and achieve her dreams while dealing with a domineering father, chores, and studies. It takes a resilient and strong person to overcome the things she faced. The story as it is told flowed smoothly and I often found myself crying. This is a book that everyone should read as I believe it inspires you to truly follow your dreams.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Freedom's Price (Keys of Promise #3) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I'm new to Ms. Johnson's work, but I won't be for long! I truly enjoyed this beautifully written novel. It's the 3rd book in her Keys Of Promise series, but it was still highly enjoyable, despite not reading the first two books.
In this novel, Ms. Johnson weaves the perfect combination of faith, hope, and love, along with beautifully depicted historical elements. I was instantly captivated from page one and this book took me on a whirl wind ride until the end. Catherine and Tom both stole my heart for the long run, and I loved following their story!
Ms. Johnson created a story well worth 4 stars, for sure! This is a quick, beautiful read and I am already anxious for more! I can't wait to go back and read the first two books in this wonderful series, and I look forward to adding Ms. Johnson among my favorite authors list! Well done, and bring on the next! <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/?p=13719"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
In this novel, Ms. Johnson weaves the perfect combination of faith, hope, and love, along with beautifully depicted historical elements. I was instantly captivated from page one and this book took me on a whirl wind ride until the end. Catherine and Tom both stole my heart for the long run, and I loved following their story!
Ms. Johnson created a story well worth 4 stars, for sure! This is a quick, beautiful read and I am already anxious for more! I can't wait to go back and read the first two books in this wonderful series, and I look forward to adding Ms. Johnson among my favorite authors list! Well done, and bring on the next! <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/?p=13719"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
This is a lovely book. It deals with several issues. This story is good as again. Beverly get you reader involves and keep you on in the book. It tell you the story about two sisters, Will Tilly and Ruth find their peace? Do They resolve their relationships? The family need to settle their issues with both sister that left the faith.
The sister find out their father is ill. It might be their last time for them to get together. There is a secret about one of the sisters that left. Their mother and their father are the ones that know what happen. Tilly finds out why she at odds with her father. They all have to deal with what happen at the river. It also heal some relationships in the family when they go to the River. I think this would be a good book for those that enjoy a little mystery though it does not have many but a few. One is the mystery is about their little sister. A another other with Tilly.
The sister find out their father is ill. It might be their last time for them to get together. There is a secret about one of the sisters that left. Their mother and their father are the ones that know what happen. Tilly finds out why she at odds with her father. They all have to deal with what happen at the river. It also heal some relationships in the family when they go to the River. I think this would be a good book for those that enjoy a little mystery though it does not have many but a few. One is the mystery is about their little sister. A another other with Tilly.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Where Trust Lies (Return to the Canadian West, #2) in Books
Jun 18, 2018
I received this book from the publishing company through Goodreads for free in return for an honest review.
As a person who loves historical fiction I was excited to et my hand on a new book that was within a genre I enjoy.I have read previous books that Janette Oke wrote which I enjoyed immensely. At the core, Where Trust Lies, is about relationships. Relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters.
In general the character, Elizabeth, was boring but she made up for it with her kind and loving heart. I like seeing the relationships between the different characters and how their choices effected their life. At the end of the story the plot changed and not for the good but even still the family held on their strong faith in God.
One of my biggest frustrations in a book is when it is predictable. When a book is predictable I am easily distractible and do not want to finish the book. Oke did a great job of ending the book, especially is a nice romantic way.
As a person who loves historical fiction I was excited to et my hand on a new book that was within a genre I enjoy.I have read previous books that Janette Oke wrote which I enjoyed immensely. At the core, Where Trust Lies, is about relationships. Relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters.
In general the character, Elizabeth, was boring but she made up for it with her kind and loving heart. I like seeing the relationships between the different characters and how their choices effected their life. At the end of the story the plot changed and not for the good but even still the family held on their strong faith in God.
One of my biggest frustrations in a book is when it is predictable. When a book is predictable I am easily distractible and do not want to finish the book. Oke did a great job of ending the book, especially is a nice romantic way.
Recently divorced Jasmine feels like she has failed everyone; her husband, her kids, and herself. Her ex-husband left her for a younger model, her daughter blames her for the divorce & won’t speak to her, and her son broke his leg as a call for attention.
While making a new friend, a mistake made at a women’s shelter leaves Jasmine in danger and doubting her safety. She seeks the help and guidance of her bible study group the Planted. As she finds a new job and perspective in life, Jasmine is brought closer to God and those she loves.
This is the fifth book in the Christian suspense series, Planted Flowers. As with the other books in the Planted series, this is more than just a book of mystery and romance. The underlining story has to do with finding faith, strength, understanding, and support while gaining a deeper relationship with God and his teachings.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
While making a new friend, a mistake made at a women’s shelter leaves Jasmine in danger and doubting her safety. She seeks the help and guidance of her bible study group the Planted. As she finds a new job and perspective in life, Jasmine is brought closer to God and those she loves.
This is the fifth book in the Christian suspense series, Planted Flowers. As with the other books in the Planted series, this is more than just a book of mystery and romance. The underlining story has to do with finding faith, strength, understanding, and support while gaining a deeper relationship with God and his teachings.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rather derivative SF movie that takes bits of Interstellar, The Martian, Z for Zachariah, etc, and comes up with something commendably thoughtful but honestly rather stodgy and predictable. Earth has been all but abandoned because the air's gone bad; a young scientist struggles to find a way that life can survive. When it seems that the planet is to be abandoned entirely she must choose whether to leave on the last ship or take a leap of faith.
Not one moment of this film will genuinely surprise you; but the production is competent, and it never actually collapses into silliness, which is impressive given how seriously it takes itself. None of it is honestly what you could call badly made, and it looks very nice - and kudos to the makers for fighting the perception that all SF films must either be horror movies or action-adventure. This isn't either of those, but on the other hand it isn't dramatic, funny, or romantic either. Not as profound as it thinks it is; mostly just dull.
Not one moment of this film will genuinely surprise you; but the production is competent, and it never actually collapses into silliness, which is impressive given how seriously it takes itself. None of it is honestly what you could call badly made, and it looks very nice - and kudos to the makers for fighting the perception that all SF films must either be horror movies or action-adventure. This isn't either of those, but on the other hand it isn't dramatic, funny, or romantic either. Not as profound as it thinks it is; mostly just dull.