Book Review: A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason

Nolan Price was a man with plans. He was careful for years to set himself up to rise above his situation and provide for the girl he loves and their families. But a deathbed confession from the mother who raised him tosses him in a completely different direction. Will he still have room in his life for the people who have always been closest to him?

Hannah Burnham had been rejected when her father passed away and her mother married again. Sent off to work as a kitchen maid in an earl’s mansion, she finds love. But when a huge change threatens to tear them apart she has decisions to make.

I really enjoyed this story. It takes place in England in the 1800s, which is a period of time I enjoy reading about. The plotline bothered me early on, because parts of it seemed to move too quickly, and I was waiting for the conflict in the romance that I’m used to seeing. It eventually surfaces, just not in the way I expected. The characters are challenged to examine their trust in God and each other, and multiple relationships begin to blossom as families learn to exist with new circumstances.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys romance with plot twists. It flows differently than what I’m used to, but in a very good way.

I received this book for free from the publisher through the BethanyHouse Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions and thoughts I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Ten Years After: A Reflection on Loss

I haven't really written much about my brother the past few years, but it doesn't mean I haven't thought of him often. My family suffered another great loss this past year when my dear uncle passed away. Scott had loved Steve and it's hard having both of them gone. Scott was a great guy to be around. He loved his family and had a great sense of humor. On top of that, I had a hard time watching my Mother lose her brother because it's an anguish I know all too well.

It's also been painful hitting this ten year mark while still waiting for justice to be served. I always prayed we wouldn't be one of those families waiting 10+ years but here we are. It is what it is though. I try not to allow waiting for closure to consume my thoughts. The actions of two evil men have taken enough from me; I won't allow them to continue to take my joy now.

And then there are his nieces. I have three little girls who never got to meet their uncle, and a sweet little niece from Mike as well. I do talk about him to them though. Annie is full of questions about her family, and she knows that the piano keyboard she and her sister play on was his. She knows she has an Uncle Steve that's in Heaven, and she recognizes him in pictures. It breaks my heart when she asks about him and wants to know when she'll get to meet him. It's not often that it comes up with her, but it does happen and it's difficult to stay composed at times.

Grief changes over the years. You learn to function with it and not allow it to overtake you like it does in the early years. I don't miss him any less or hurt any less thinking about what happened, but I don't get paralyzed and overcome by grief and shock like I used to. Part of that is the joy and new purpose I get from the wonderful family God has given me. My husband and three daughters fill me with joy, as does my relationship with God. And I have comfort knowing I'll see Steve again one day when I too depart this world and enter God's presence. It's not that I'm OK with his death now, but more like I've accepted the reality of it and have aquired a new normal.

I guess what I'm left with is the occasional longing. A random thought or reminder will get me to thinking of what might have been. The family he always wanted but never got: I feel robbed of potential nieces and nephews who never got a chance to exist. Watching him get to know my husband and kids: Bruce and I started dating shortly after we lost Steve and I enjoyed watching him get closer to Mike and my parents. I wish I could see Steve involved in my family as well. Then there is that beautiful sibling bond I watch growing among my girls. It is heartwarming to see and reminds me of what Mike and I had with Steve. I'm not saying this consumes my being, but the thoughts creep in when I least expect them and the sting of grief surprises me. I expect it will always be this way. I lost a part of myself and carry the scar as a reminder.

Steve, myself, and Mike

And then there is Matt Butler. Matt was a friend of mine, and one of Steve's best friends. He's the other person we lost that day. It's always been hard to process losing both of them at the same time. They had a very entertaining and close friendship. Steve helped Matt with technical acumen at his recording studio, and Matt pushed Steve's social limits. Matt didn't have siblings, but he was close to his cousins, and considered Steve his "bro". I remember listening to a long conversation between the two of them defining the term " bro love" (as a platonic expression). There ended up being many people that grieved losing both of them, myself included.

Steve and Matt

Steve Swan: Son, brother, friend, confidant, and many other things to many other people. He was kind, intelligent, generous, humble, and always willing to help people. He made a greater imprint in this world than he was ever aware of. I remember so many candid moments with him sharing dreams, reservations, hopes, fears, jokes and general good times that I will never forget. A talented musician and singer, he left behind recordings that give insight into his thoughts, life, and sense of humor. They are a comfort to his family in his absence, vocal remnants of the young man we knew and loved.

I'll miss him until I see him again.

Revelation 21:4 - And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

1 Corinthians 2:9 - But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Book Review: I Can Only Imagine by Bart Millard, with Robert Noland

Pretty much everyone that listens to worship music, and probably a good number of Americans who don’t, are familiar with the song I Can Only Imagine. But where did the inspiration for the song come from? I knew from watching the concept music video many years ago that it was a tribute. But despite the fact that I’d seen Mercy Me play many times when I was younger, including a week long retreat to Glorietta, New Mexico for college week with Mercy Me providing worship, I wasn’t aware of all the pain and providence that led up to those words being penned. The movie gives the story in a nutshell, but on the pages of this book, Bart Millard takes the time to get a more complete version of the story out in the form of his memoirs.

Wow. What a story. Bart went though some difficult times as a youth, particularly where it involved his father. But ultimately this is a story of the power of God and His redemption, as well as how God prepares His followers for years before His plan can be seen by us. I really think that everyone can connect with at least one part of this story. His collection of experiences is unique but there are those little parts here and there that everyone can read and just cry over. For me, it was the part where he mentions that after his Dad’s funeral was the hard part. Everyone else moves on with life and the support drops out when you need it the most. I experienced this when I lost my brother and I’ve said it to grieving friends for years.

I’m not going to spoil it by getting into the details of the book, but I will say this is a worthwhile read for everyone. Read the book, watch the movie, and share it! Bart’s story is touching, real, and a clear case of God’s purpose despite the pain of living in a sinful world.

I received this book for free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions and thoughts I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Book Review: When God Made Light by Matthew Paul Turner, Illustrated by David Catrow

When God Made Light is a sweet book for children about enjoying God’s creation and the light He put into it. I have to just say first off that the illustrations in this book are amazing! Honestly the pictures captured my attention more than the words. The text sparks the imagination, but to a young child who may lack context, the pictures do wonders. If you have a two year old and a three year old, like I do, they may be more interested in making their own observations about the pictures than hanging on to the words.

I definitely recommend this book for young children, largely because it is an attractive book. The illustrations have movement and character built into them and are just plain adorable pictures of kids (and their dog) having fun. The narrative rhymes and flows well but it’s the visuals that make this book work.

I received this book for free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions and thoughts I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Book Review: Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham

Ah Billy Graham, always so full of insight! I have read several devotionals over the years and enjoyed most of them, but Hope for Each Day is quite a new level of refreshing! The devotional covers a full year, and each day contains a Bible verse, the main devotion, and a box at the bottom with some application of the message (entitled “Hope for Today”). 

The book itself is bonded leather and is beautiful and nice to handle. There is a ribbon bookmark as well, which gives it a feel similar to a lightweight Bible. The devotions are clear, concise, and easy to read while still being full of depth and insight. I have really never been as encouraged by a devotional as I am when reading them! The questions asked at the end incite reflection on my life as pertaining to the rest of the short message. I truly believe that God gifted Billy Graham with a way to reach people through both spoken and written word. I love to read his books and have never been anything but happy with them.

I recommend this devotional to any Christian no matter where in your Christian walk you are. It really has something for everybody!

I received this book for free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions and thoughts I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Book Review: Long Before Luther by Nathan Busenitz

With the 500^th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation came the release of the excellent treatise on reformation Soteriology as expressed by its forerunners. The book covers three specific areas of Reformation doctrine in its survey of theologians dating back to the time of the New Testament: forensic justification, justification distinguished from sanctification, and the imputed righteousness of Christ. If none of that made sense, don’t worry! The author explains what all of those terms are.

The reasoning behind this book is that many claim that the Reformation understanding of justification by faith alone (sola fide) was a new invention by Reformers, and that we should go back to the “mother church” of Catholicism. By the end of the book I was rather encouraged that what I believe as a Protestant Christian is Biblical and also taught is some form by the early Church fathers.

I would recommend this book for any Christian seeking to understand Reformation doctrine and how far back it reaches. It may be slow reading for those who aren’t used to reading books that cover theology, but for the more advanced reader of theology, it’s pretty easy to get through.

I received this book for free from the publisher through the Moody Publishers blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions and thoughts I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Book Review: Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

Gertrude spends a good portion of her time as a paid lady’s companion running interference for her employer, who has a peculiar habit of removing items from their proper place. However, it seems someone may have capitalized on the old lady’s eccentricities, or else she has escalated her behavior. Gertrude is caught in the middle of some strange and disturbing occurrences as she contemplates her employment and life choices. A further source of confusion is her friendship with a rather unconventional gentleman. Over the course of events they are both forced to face their feelings about each other and decide what to do about them.

I enjoyed the sometimes playful, sometimes conflicted interactions among the characters in this book. It is apparently the second in a series, but I was able to enjoy it without having read the first book, as the main characters are different. Possible future books have the stage set for them by this story though, so I may consider others in the series. Overall it was a well written romance with a fun mystery in the background, leading to some entertaining predicaments for all involved!

I enjoy fiction set in the 1800s and early 1900s in America, so this story was the kind I generally choose to read, and I would recommend it for those who enjoy romantic historical fiction.

I received this book for free from the publisher through the BethanyHouse Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions and thoughts I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255