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Sunday, June 28, 2015

A Pinch of Promise by Elizabeth Maddrey

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review

It wasn't so long ago that Becky's life was in shambles. Some people might remember her as Marie, the teenager that everyone knew as the troubled teen that her parents had to endure years of struggles with her. Her dad is a famous pastor-turned-parenting expert and writes books on the subject. The press was relentless about Becky and her troubles with drugs, being known as a bad  girl and spending time in rehab facilities. The problem was, none of the stories were true. Her father wrote about a girl with those issues, but he never said who he was referring to. Can Becky every find a way to forgive her dad and find peace about her past?

One day Marie left her hometown, changed her name and never looked back. She had a very strained relationship with her father and had no intentions of ever forgiving him for the pain she went thru because of his books. Becky becomes a physical therapist and tries  to live a quiet life. As she is working one day, someone comes in for treatment on his knee. Ben stares at his physical therapist and sees a glimmer of someone he use to know ten years ago. He can't believe that it is possible that his therapist could be the same girl he fell in love with and never got over.

This is a powerful story about forgiveness and letting go of your past. The author has written a very touching story that shows us how hard it is to let go of your anger and start to let your heart soften from all the bitterness you have held in for so long.. As Ben decides he wants to start again with Becky, she continues to pull away from him. Ben's friends encourage him to not give up on Becky . One of them tell him, "if you want someone in your life, you pursue them. And if they run the other way, then run faster. It reminds me of what we need to be doing everyday. The author gives a great example of how we need to pursue God everyday and if there are obstacles, then run faster to get to Him.

Becky has always collected salt shakers and the author writes a beautiful analogy how what the salt represents. Becky says her salt shakers remind her that we're to be salt and light, and that even the tiniest pinch of salt offered someone the promise of a better life in Christ. The book is so beautifully written and shares with us the hurt that Becky felt her father had placed on her , when he wrote his books but would never say they weren't about her.  She also gives us insight into homeless shelters and the needs that can be overwhelming for them. I loved the ending and thought it was powerful and makes you think about who you may hold unforgiveness for. It is a love story with life lessons we can all learn from. All we need is "A Pinch of Promise."

Courage Ressurrected By R. Scott Mackey


I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The story revolves around Ray who has lost his wife, Pam in a car accident thirteen years ago. The day of the accident, Ray and his wife had been in an argument that resulted in her fleeing the house in anger and driving away. Does Ray have lingering guilt of that fateful day ?

From out of nowhere, years later, Ray receives an email from someone claiming to be his dead wife. The email goes on to accuse him of trying to muder her all those years ago. Whoever this person really is they intent on getting revenge and making sure he pays for what he tried to do. Who is this person writing the emails? If his wife is really dead, then who has a grudge against him? The author begins to lay the groundwork for a mystery that takes us on a journey of Ray trying to prove his innocence while trying to stay one step ahead of the police who decide that the investigation into what happened that day need to be re examined.

Of course Ray is the main suspect or as the police call it, a person of interest. But why are there others unsavory men following him? Is it their job to make sure he gets convicted of his wife's muder or is there something more mysterious going on with these men? Why are dead bodies shoeing up that point to Ray as the suspect?

The race is on for Ray to dig as deep as he can, stay out of jail and discover the truth behind Pam's death. He gets help from Rubia, a former student from his college days. Will they be able to solve the mystery before time runs out for Ray? The author gives us a book filled with a twists, a determination from Ray to prove his innocence and an ending you won't see coming. I love the authors style of writing that gives us little tiny subtle hints that could easily be missed if you rush thru the book. I encourage you to read the book, take everything in, watch for clues skillfully hidden within the story and enjoy the ride.  )
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