UNPLANNED by ALANA TERRY

This book  handles a controversial subject with grace and insight. I appreciated how the author gave both viewpoints and allowed readers to really  grasp the issue with details and openness. I love the authors writing style and I am now a huge fan of hers. The story is fast paced, gripping with tension and keeps readers rushing to turn the pages.

The main character in the book Kennedy , is a young woman who has just returned from China. I can't imagine going to a foreign land and trying to understand the language. Can you imagine being oversees for ten years and then suddenly come home to the states? Kennedy has a full load as she attends Harvard. The author did a great job of describing the day to day schedule for a college student. Kennedy is trying to balance everything in her life but I think at times  she may have been overwhelmed. When she decides to volunteer at the pregnancy hotline center she finds herself in a situation that will test her faith. The caller tells Kennedy some very unsettling things but won't let Kennedy know who she is. The tension on the phone was a pure adrenaline rush. The author gives a chilling account of what happens when a young girl finds herself in trouble. Will Kennedy be able to find the girl in time?

The book is powerful and at times very intense. I thought the story was well written without giving the choices more biased on one side then the other. The reader can  feel the strain the young girl is going through as her voice shakes with fear as she talks.  I found myself thinking how people are so quick to judge others. No matter what you believe , this story is a heartpounding  action packed read  till the end. Will the young girl who called come forward? What happens at the pregnancy center that causes people to be on edge? I enjoyed the book and appreciated the attention given to people who volunteer to work hotlines at different places. It can make a difference to someone in trouble when the person on the other end of the phone is compassionate and non judgmental. Thank you for writing an inspiring and intriguing story. I look forward to more books from this gifted author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookfun.org. The review is my honest opinion .

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO RUTH by KEVIN FOSTER

I have been blessed lately with receiving several devotional books. They are different from each other but all draw from the Word of God. I like devotionals because they draw me deeper into the Bible and give me points to really think on. This particular devotional is centered around the story Ruth along with Naomi, and Boaz. It is well written and holds readers attention with scriptures and illustrations found in the Bible.

The devotional book is  longer than others but it has a vast of wisdom and knowledge that seems to draw you in the book as you turn the pages. What is significant about the book of Ruth? There are so many nuggets of truths  to keep reader's immersed in the devotional for an intimate time with God. I did like the discussion about marriages. It says on page 13, "Husband's, the decisions you make will be felt by your family long after death. Your decision has the ability to bless or curse." That sure is a big responsibility to take on but with guidance God can help husbands make good choices.

I have always heard that God sees and hears everything .   Do we forget about that when we try to hide things that we know are wrong? It's funny how that slips our mind as we think about things not of God. As I taught a Sunday School class one day I gave this illustration to the 10 and 11 year old boys and girls. I asked them to think about  what they had done over the weekend. Did they say things with their friends that hurt someone else?  Were they  disrespectful to their  parents? As I continued I asked them if they knew Jesus was sitting right beside them during the last few days, would they have changed anything they did or said ? Would  we change anything we do or say if we could see Jesus right  beside us?

The book is filled with chapters that readers will find can be applied to their daily life. I liked how precise and thought provoking the author wrote. I would encourage readers looking for a book that helps  you study scriptures and the  book of Ruth with a fresh insight to grab a copy of this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookfun.org. The review is my own opinion .

BUILDERS and BLOCKERS OF LIFE by RANDALL SMALLS

I loved the way  the book opened by the author asking, "What will it look like when your dreams come true?" That sure is a question to think about. We all have dreams about having great jobs, money, power, fame etc. but what would we do if it suddenly happened? Would we be ready for the outcome? I always had a dream of becoming a teacher. I loved teaching and wanted to share with others. I wanted to make a difference. But things got in the way and my dream never happened. One of the key things the author said that really spoke to me was, "You might want to start now by imagining what it would feel like to have finally made peace with your past." I loved his encouragement to move forward and "stop obsessing over your past." That sure was a heart check for me. I have allowed my past to keep me stuck where pain dwells.

The book tells us that we don't need to change everything overnight but rather take baby steps. I know I can go full throttle when I want to change something. I lack the patience I need and sometimes I move to quickly without thinking everything through. One of the keys ingredients I  forget to include is God. It's time to take a step back, close my eyes and focus on one thing at a time. I sure do know about  disappointment and that causes me to say"well I tried and give up." What happened to my faith? Did I give up on hope? How many excuses will I find not to change?

I found the book to have a great plan to guide readers to get rid of what has been "blockers in your life" and start taking steps to having a better life. I never though about fear being a bully. That one really grabbed my attention. I live with fear , anxiety and depression everyday . What I didn't realize that I have let those things bully me into feeling worthless . For me it is time to stand up and fight . I loved the tools he has given readers to become courageous and "face challenging tasks and confrontations." The more I delved into the book, the more I could feel something rising inside of me. I want to be free from my past, I want to stop being bullied by fear and I need to be courageous and go for for it.

"We can literally change our lives simply by changing our minds."

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookfun.org. The review is my honest opinion.