When God Makes Lemonade by Don Jacobson

Do you know someone who needs some encouragement? Perhaps that someone is you.
In When God Makes Lemonade, author Don Jacobson has collected real-life stories from around the world that show everyday folks discovering unexpected sweetness in the midst of sour circumstances. Some are funny, others are sobering, and more than a few will bring tears of amazement. But these true stories all have one thing in common: hope.

There's no question that life gives us "lemons," like issues with health, employment, and relationships. But when those lemons become lemonade, it's as refreshing as a cold drink on a hot summer day.

It's true that in life "stuff" happens, but as you'll see in these stories, Lemonade Happens too!

My review:
   I've always enjoyed books that had several stories in, especially when they are true like this one. There are 68 stories in this book by and about people who faced difficulties, and God worked through it.

   The stories are interesting, encouraging, and easy to read. The book could be filed under my "read in one sitting" category, but this is the kind of book you need to savor, read a story or two at a time, instead of just reading through it in one sitting. I very much enjoyed reading this book, and found it well written and well done. It would make an excellent gift for any reader, no matter what they normally read.

About the author:

Hi, I’m Don Jacobson, and I’m a walking, talking lemonade story.

Back in 1980, I was a happily married twenty-four-year-old who enjoyed a physically demanding job in commercial construction. I knew my future was bright, and I knew what it would take to get there: hard work, planning, and dedication.

Then, one winter night, a shooting accident changed everything. I nearly died as I lay for hours beneath a tree, but miracle after miracle happened to keep me alive—a story you can read in full in God Makes Lemonade. I spent nine agonizing days in critical condition, and nearly a month in the hospital. When I left, things looked bleak, and I could no longer physically provide for my family.
It took a while for God to turn that lemon into lemonade, but in the end it was wonderfully sweet. I began to work in Christian publishing, and the shape of my life changed forever. Now, 25 years later, I see that not being able to work with my hands forced me to work with my head and heart, and both my family and my career became better than I could ever have imagined.

My wife, Brenda, and I know that the hardships of life have molded our characters and turned us into people we would never have been apart from the pain. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade the hardest times of my life for anything, because they led me toward something better . . . something God had planned all along.

When I share my lemonade story with friends, two amazing things happen. My story inspires others and gives them hope. Then, almost without fail, my friends excitedly tell me their lemonade story, and I’m filled with inspiration and hope in return.

Recently it hit me: we all have lemonade stories—so what would happen if we could share them with the people around the world who need them most? That’s the dream of the God Makes Lemonade series: to publish true stories to encourage people in sour circumstances that God is at work making lemonade.
What’s your story?

When God Makes Lemonade is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Thanks to B&B Media for the review copy.

Past Darkness by Laurel Woiwode

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Past Darkness Crossway (April 30, 2013) by Laurel Woiwode

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laurel Woiwode graduated with honors from Jamestown College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in both English and History. She works with ESL students, writes movie reviews at reelquickie.areavoices.com, works on writing and editing projects, and is always ready for outdoor adventures. Laurel grew up in rural North Dakota, has had an avid interest in animals, nature, and literature since childhood, and she is the author of Past Darkness.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Gabrielle Larson is an average, 15 year old girl living in Chicago when tragedy strikes. In the aftermath, she is forced to relocate to rural North Dakota and henceforth spends the next chapter of her life learning to cope with trials involving everything from family to faith. Laurel Woiwode, daughter of critically acclaimed novelist Larry Woiwode, offers here a moving story that will be appreciated by female and male readers alike. Past Darkness is not preachy or heavy-handed, but rather a touching story about the importance of family, the power of music, and the ever-present mercy of God.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Past Darkness, go HERE,

Poison by Jordyn Redwood

Five years ago, Keelyn Blake's armed, mentally ill stepfather took her family hostage in their house in rural Colorado. She and her half-sister Raven made it out alive, but others did not. Authorities blamed the father’s frequent hallucinations about a being named Lucent, but in the end, even the best of the FBI’s hostage negotiators failed to overcome the man’s delusions and end the standoff peacefully.

SWAT team member Lee Watson was there that day. He watched it all unfold and was able to pull Keelyn and Raven from the grip of their demon-possessed father. Though partially successful, his team had still failed, and the outcome of that day—and that tortured family—has continued to plague Lee ever since. Though unusual for SWAT to reconnect with survivors, Lee bumped into Keelyn two years after the crisis, and they both found some peace in their budding relationship. But peace is hard to maintain when the memory returns . . . in the flesh. Lucent is back, and he’s no hallucination. In fact, he is a very real person with dangerous motives. He has kidnapped Raven’s daughter, and--Keelyn worries--maybe has hurt Raven as well. Though she is estranged from her sister, Keelyn feels the immediate need to find Raven and save what family she has left. But when others who were involved in that fateful day start dying, some by mysterious circumstances, Keelyn wonders if she and Lee can emerge unscathed a second time.  The highly anticipated second installment of the Bloodline Trilogy explores the boundaries of faith and family and what happens when both are put to the test.

My review:
    I read and reviewed the first book in this series, Proof, and though I liked it, I thought this book was even better and didn't feel rushed like the first. That could be because in this book, the main characters are already engaged to be married at the beginning of the book. I would recommend reading this series in order.

  This book was hard to put down, so I didn't. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting, and enjoyed every page. Again, the author came up with a very cool plot and worked it around blood. There are a couple of characters from the first book in this story, and new ones, and I found myself liking them all, especially the two main characters. There are some creepy moments involving spiders, and a lot of suspense, and a few surprises.

   There is a lot of action that takes place in the hospital and with medical situations in both books, but the author does a great job of keeping things in terms even I can understand.

  The book takes a good look at family ties, and what people will do to save someone they love. It also shows that no one is beyond hope, and no matter how far they have gone, they are still worth saving. I loved the book, and am looking forward to reading the last book in the series.

About the author:

Jordyn Redwood is a nurse by day, novelist by night. She has specialized in critical care and emergency nursing for nearly two decades. As a self professed medical nerd, she reads medical textbooks for fun. This led to the creation of Redwood's Medical Edge-- a blog devoted to helping authors write medically accurate fiction. Jordyn loves to weave medical mystery into her story lines and see how her characters navigate through the chaos she creates.


Poison is available from Kregel Publishing.

Thanks to Kregel for the review copy.
   

Not by Sight by Kathy Herman

Her Sister Couldn't Be Alive . Could She?

It had to be Riley Jo. She was certain. . .wasn't she? But when Abby Cummings tells her mother she thought she saw her sister at the store, her mother quickly dismisses the idea. After all, Riley Jo and their father had been missing for years. Presumably dead. Yet Abby cannot ignore her intuition. Telling her friend J. D., they investigate. But J. D. may know more about the disappearance than he's telling, or even realizes. And as they work to uncover what happened, all they have to go on is blind faith. Will it be enough. . .especially considering what the truth might be?

My review:
   I'm always excited to see a new book come out from Kathy Herman. I have several favorite authors, and she is definitely one of them, and is close to the top of that list. I am always sad to see a series end, but enjoy starting a new one. This book. Not By Sight, is the first in the Ozark Mountain Trilogy, and if this book is any indication, this may be her best series yet.

   Kathy always comes up with interesting and likable characters, and I really like the ones she has come up with for this series. She is not afraid to make her books Christian, and always deals with some truth in her books. In this one, the topic of faith is covered. Having faith in God even when things are going bad, even when the bottom has fallen out of your world and you wonder if God doesn't care. Some of her fictional characters in this book hold onto that faith, and some of them let hold of it and are mad at God. This book shows that Christian fiction can be a tool to help and encourage people. I got the message that I really needed from it, and was not just encouraged, but convicted by how easily I doubt when things go bad.

   I loved this book, and everything about it. It had a great plot with great character development, which isn't always done in fiction. The plot was great and kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read. As I often do with a really good book, I read it in one sitting. And then I re-read my favorite parts over at least 4 times. This may be her best book yet.

  Kathy writes Christian suspense, which is my favorite genre' to read, but her books are never gory, the violence never overdone, nor are they scary. If you aren't sure you'd like Christian suspense/mysteries, she would be a good author to try. And that doesn't mean her books are not suspenseful. They are. And definitely worth reading. This one would be a great place to start. And though this is adult fiction, teenagers should enjoy this series as some of the main characters are teenagers and younger.

   Something neat Kathy does that I don't know of any other author doing, though there may be some who do: When she starts a new series, she puts a group of pictures on her website that she had in mind for the setting for her books, and below are the ones for this book:

About the author: (in her words)

When I began writing novels, I had several well-meaning individuals tell me they never bother to read Christian fiction because they prefer books with a meaty spiritual message. I was amused, since some of the Christian novels I’ve read have impacted me even more than my Bible study classes. I hear this echoed from my readers.

Perhaps the reason is because stories can present the application of biblical truth through the actions of believable characters facing true-to-life, even gut-wrenching dilemmas, yet provide safe boundaries in which to consider what we would or wouldn’t do given the same situations. In a very real sense, a well-crafted story is a means to gain life experience without suffering loss.

I write books that appeal to a broad spectrum of readers of both genders, and with a message I believe is contemporary, gripping, and relevant. I’ve always enjoyed reading page-turners that challenge my thinking, and that’s what I seek to write.

It might surprise you to know that my stories rarely come to me until I actually sit down and begin typing. In fact, what intrigues me most (and sometimes plays havoc with my deadlines) is that I don’t outline the stories. I start with an idea, then turn my fingers loose and get inside the characters and let them take me where I need to go. Sometimes it’s as though my fingers have a brain.

 

And in case you were wondering, my plots are not consciously based on personal experiences or my characters on people I know. And yet my mind is a storehouse of experiences, relationships, information, and impressions that cannot help but shape the stories I write.

 

My hope is that each of my novels will not only entertain, but also inspire and challenge. That in the deepest part of our souls, we’ll embrace the depth of what it means to be believers, and then be moved to share its powerful simplicity with those who struggle without hope.

 

And might I add a few things: I am friends with this great lady on facebook. In addition to being a great writer, she is also quite the photographer and often posts lovely pictures she has taken. She is also a very nice and gracious lady. I am very glad I discovered her books.

Check out her website at KathyHerman.com

 

Not By Sight is available from David C Cook publishing.

 

Thanks to Kathy for the review copy.

 

Kathy, talking about her new book:

 

 

Limitless by Nick Vujicic

From limbless to limitless – anything is possible with God!

Nick Vujicic knows there is no greater hope than trusting in God’s plan for your life. Born without arms or legs, Nick has experienced both the peak of hope and the depth of despair. But he has overcome his circumstances and physical limitations by clinging to his faith and understanding the limitless love and power God has for every person.

Now he wants you to experience that same reassurance of hope and the power of God, everyday. In these fifty inspirational devotions, Nick shares his most compelling, hard-earned wisdom to help you face obstacles with confidence and courage and point you toward God. Whether you struggle with faith, relationships, career challenges, anger, health concerns, self-esteem, finding balance, or doubt in your dreams, Nick’s biblical encouragement and positive attitude will transform your life and show you that you can be limitless because God is limitless.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

My review:

    Anything with Nick's name on it is worth reading. He is a very inspiring and encouraging guy. When I saw this book come up for review, I requested it without even reading about it. I knew it would be worth reading since he wrote it, and I was correct.

   This is unlike his other two books, though it does draw material from his other two books. This one is a devotional, though it is not for a year. It has 50 different devotionals in it. The subtitle of the book is "Devotionals for a Ridiculously Good Life."

   In this book, Nick has taken some of his most encouraging material, expounded on it, and came up with a short, but great devotional. For a guy who has overcome such overwhelming odds, he has a terrific outlook on life and an incredible faith in God, and that comes through in these devotionals. Reading them brings out a variety of emotions in me, including guilt at my complaining about my problems.

  This is an incredible little book. If you've never read any books by Nick, this one would be a great one to start with.

About the author:

Nick Vujicic is an international and New York Times best-selling author, evangelist, motivational speaker, and the director of Life Without Limbs, an organization that helps share the message of the hope in Christ to the entire globe. Nick is an inspiration worldwide with crowds and the media for his positive attitude towards overcoming obstacles and achieving dreams. A longtime resident of Australia, he now lives in southern California with his wife, Kanae, and son, Kiyoshi.


Limitless is available from Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing.

Thanks to Waterbrook/Multnomah for the review copy.

Why I read mysteries

Ran across this great blog post. The lady who wrote it captured my thoughts and feelings why I read Christian suspense/mysteries in a better way than I could put into words: Why I Read Mysteries.

The Singing God by Sam Storms

God Delights in You

God loves us—with all our faults and failures, with all the secret sins no one else knows about. In fact, He rejoices over us so much that He breaks out in inexpressible joy and song as He thinks about us.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” —Zephaniah 3:17

 That’s how God feels about you! He looks at you, He thinks of you…and He sings for joy!

In The Singing God Sam Storms explores God's immeasurable love for His children. You don’t need to be different; you don’t need to be better. You just need to know that God loves you just the way you are now...today. When you truly believe this, you will find the strength and incentive to fight sin, experience freedom from shame, and walk in the fullness of all that God desires for you.

 

   My review:

     My pastor gave me a CD with a sermon titled The Singing God a while back, so when I saw a book come up for review, I was intrigued and requested it.

 

      I struggle a lot with believing God loves me, and that is what this book is about. It is written for people who feel unloved by God, who have a hard time believing that God loves them. I have read several books that addressed this issue, and this is one of the better ones I have read. It is easy to read and interesting, but it isn't light fluff. The author gets real and under the surface of the problem. He offers not quick fixes, but does offer real solutions and hope for we people who struggle in this area. This book has "meat".

 

   I tried to take my time reading it, and was so impressed by the book that I intend to go through it again and try to soak up more of it. The book didn't "cure" me, but it has definitely given me a lot to think about and if I can truly digest what I read and take it to heart, I am sure it will do me a lot of good in the long run. I would recommend this book to anyone who finds them self doubting God's love for them, or to anyone who just needs a reminder and a fresh look at God's love.

 

About the author:

 

Sam has spent 39 years in ministry as a pastor, professor and author. He was visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College from 2000-2004, and is currently Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City. He has authored 22 books and founded Enjoying God Ministries. He's a graduate of The University of Oklahoma (B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M) and The University of Texas (Ph.D.). He and his wife Ann have been married for 40 years and are the parents of two grown daughters and have four grandchildren. On a more personal level, Sam loves baseball, books, movies, and anything to do with the Oklahoma Sooners.

 

The Singing God is available from Charisma Publishing.

 

Thanks to Charisma for the review copy.