Review: Blessed Child by Ted Dekker and Bill Bright

Book Description

"“Whoever said that a straightened hand was more dramatic than a healed heart anyway?”

"A young orphaned boy was abandoned in the midst of an invasion and raised in an Ethiopian monastery. He has never seen outside its walls—at least, not the way most people see. Now he must flee those walls or die.

"But the world beyond is hardly ready for a boy like Caleb.

"When relief worker Jason Marker agrees to take Caleb from the monastery, he unwittingly opens humanity's doors to an incredible journey filled with political intrigue and peril. Jason and Leiah—the French-Canadian nurse who escapes the monastery with him—quickly realize Caleb's supernatural power to heal. But so do the boy's enemies, who will stop at nothing to destroy him. Jason and Leiah fight for Caleb’s survival while the world erupts in debate over the source of his power.

"In the end nothing can prepare them for what they discover."

Review

I've read several Ted Dekker books before. Some I've not had any trouble reading and others I just couldn't ever get into. This one was a combination. I had a hard time getting into it, but once I got past the first few chapters, I was hooked. I couldn't put it down! The suspense of what was going to happen next kept me coming back. Following Jason and Leiah's transformation, as well as Caleb's, was fascinating. Caleb has a way of opening eyes (including mine) to the realm unknown. Pair this with the discussion we've been having at church about spiritual warfare and I just couldn't get enough. I can't wait to read the sequel A Man Called Blessed.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

When Mockingbirds Sing by Billy Coffey-Review

Book Description (from the book cover)

What marks the boundary between a miracle from God and the imagination of a child?
Leah is a child from Away, isolated from her peers because of her stutter. But then she begins painting scenes that are epic in scope, brilliant in detail, and suffused with rich, prophetic imagery. When the event foreshadowed in the first painting dramatically comes true, the town of Mattingly takes notice.
Leah attributes her ability to foretell the future to an invisible friend she calls the Rainbow Man. Some of the townsfolk are enchanted with her. Others fear her. But there is one thing they all agree on—there is no such thing as the Rainbow Man.
Her father, the town psychologist, is falling apart over his inability to heal his daughter . . . or fix his marriage. And the town minister is unraveled by the notion that a mere child with no formal training may be hearing from God more clearly than he does.
While the town bickers over what to do with this strange child, the content of Leah’s paintings grows darker. Still, Leah insists that the Rainbow Man’s heart is pure. But then a dramatic and tragic turn of events leaves the town reeling and places everyone’s lives in danger. Now the people of Mattingly face a single choice:
Will they cling to what they know . . . or embrace the things Leah believes in that cannot be seen?

Review

This book kept me on the edge of my seat through the entire book. I never knew exactly where it was going. Tom & Ellen Norcross moved with their daughter Leah to a small town in the country to get a fresh start. Leah begins talking about The Rainbow Man and says he is telling her to do and say things. As she trusts him, she begins to have more believers along with her. Many, however don't believe and think she's just crazy.

Billy Coffey provides enough description but allows your imagination to work as well. I enjoyed the mystery in the story and wondering where Leah's pictures would lead the town.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review of The Christian Mama's Guide to the Grade School Years, by Erin MacPherson

The Christian Mama's Guide to the Grade School Years, by Erin MacPherson

Erin MacPherson uses her experience as a mom to talk about how to help your kid be the best they can be (in God's eyes) as they begin grade school. She uses real world examples to talk about the best ways to get your kids (and you ready) for that.

I loved this book. The author is down to earth and has lots of insight into your child starting grade school, whether you choose public, private or homeschool. It's less about how to deal with the actual issues your child will face (although that's in there, too) and more about dealing with the "why" of  the issues that come up. Like, why your child lied to the teacher (maybe they just didn't want to get in trouble).  I bookmarked many of the lists in this book (I'm a list person!) like The Fifteen Factors, ways to build social-emotional skills in your kids, how to use your kids' interests to help them learn, and ways to incorporate scripture into praising your kids. I can see myself reading this book many times in the next few years!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love

 

Every Perfect Gift is set in the 1880's in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee. It’s the story of Sophie Caldwell who comes back to Hickory Ridge, her childhood home, to restart the local newspaper. Through her newspaper reporting, she meets Ethan Heyward, the architect of the Blue Smoke Resort. He has a troubled past and has spent years trying to keep it hidden. But, he can’t keep hiding it from himself or Sophie, with whom he falls in love. This story had just a few twists in it and that really kept me interested through the whole thing. I’d love to read more from Dorothy Love.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”