The Sky Beneath My Feet by Lisa Samson

 

Beth, a pastor's wife, finds herself in the middle of a emotional minefield when her husband moves out to the shed for a month to "spend time with God."  She finds herself feeling completely neglected, overlooked by her teenaged sons, and managing a life that she never planned, dreamed of, or believed in.  Through some crazy series of events, she finds herself in the midst of the "rent-a-mob" who are a group of protesters with no common goal except for passionate protest.  She actually grows to like her husband, "St. Rick" living in the shed, pondering his career moves and leaving her quite alone.  Sometimes when Beth looks in the mirror, she sees glimpses of her past self and wonders who that person actually was, until she realizes that it is time to find that out.

This book is extremely well written, prolific in its human experiences, peering into the cracks of life and pulling up either desperation or hope.  It explores many cultures and sub-cultures with insight and accuracy, especially the Evangelical Christian Church.  I found it so real that it almost became someone's personal story instead of a work of fiction. 

I did not enjoy The Sky Beneath My Feet as an easy read, feel good book.  It made me think, really examine all of its elements.  There was a feeling of exposure into the inner workings of "the church" at large and it made me feel uncomfortable. Sometimes God exposes such things to get people to really look and think and examine them, in order to restore and heal them.  Lisa Samson has such incredible writing talents she is able to bring up deep issues in a fictional way, to get the reader to ponder them.

There was also lots to enjoy; larger-than-life, quirky characters, and this is not a reproduction of anything I have ever read.  I thought it so funny, the idea of Pastor Rick going into the shed to "hear the voice of God" and everything that comes out of that.  The end of the story comes together well and is very redeeming.

5 Stars Out of 5

I got this book for free from BookSneeze, contingent on an unbiased review.

Taken Into Time "By The Spirit of God" by Joseph Gartenmayer

In this brief and intriguing testimonial, Gartenmayer recounts his experiences with God.  He tells his story of salvation and being visited by the Holy Spirit for the first time, and how his life dramatically changed.   He recounts stories of being in the military and working in a jail and the things that God showed him through those experiences.  There are stories of being taken up "in spirit" to visit heaven, to see Jesus at the cross, and experiences with angels and demons.  

This is not a good book to "review" as such, I would never dare to critique someone's personal testimony.   There should be a healthy fear and responsibility associated with thoughts and statements such as, "this is or isn't of God."  I  believe every word, as I have personally had experiences with God in such ways, as well as hearing many other such stories from around the world of these kind of "interactions."  If they happened in the bible, it is possible to experience such things now.  

At times I wondered, "who is this book geared toward?  Believers or people that don't yet know Jesus?"  I would say the answer is both.  There is much to glean here.  One thing Gartenmayer makes no qualms about is that it is not a teaching book.  There are no scriptural references, simply a statement leading the reader to read the bible and find out more about God. 


All in all, I would like to thank Gartenmayer for his contribution.  One day we will meet, whether on earth or in heaven my friend.

I got this book from BookSneeze for free, contingent on an unbiased review.  This book is for sale for $3.99 digital copy on Amazon, great price.

If you are interested in these and other such stories, here are some websites that I would recommend.
Sid Roth, It's Supernatural 

Patricia King, XP Media 

Moon over Edisto by Beth Webb Hart

Julia has her life together.  A committed relationship, a good job, a little piece of sophisticated Manhattan.  She has worked years to run away from her broken family, and most of all, her ex-best friend Marnie, now her Father's wife.  One day, Julia gets news that Marnie is sick with lung cancer, and the 3 children that her and Julia's dad had before he died are in need of someone to care for them.  Now Julia must go to Edisto Island, her childhood vacation home, and take care of her half sister's and brother.  The problem is, she hasn't been back to Edisto to face her past in 20 years. 

I loved this book.  I think it is one of the best I have ever reviewed.  Beth Webb Hart paints a tremendous picture of a broken heart and all of its subterfuge.  My quick explanation of the book make's it seem almost soap-operaish (which it is not!)  It goes deep into life, the messiness of it, the tenderness of it, and its unexpected surprises.  

Honestly, if you do have any pain in your past, it is possible this might bring up some stuff. I almost didn't read it because I thought it might be a little dark, but Moon over Edisto has a very redeeming quality about it, and feels good in the end. 

I also loved the descriptions of the south; Charleston and Edisto Island.  The food, the culture, the way of life transported me to another place (away from the cold snow of Canada anyways.)

5 Stars Out of 5

I received this book for free from BookSneeze contingent on an unbiased review.

Secretly Smitten By Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt

Secretly Smitten is the second book in the Smitten series, written by the authors in a collaborative process made into 4 novellas.  The basic premise of the Smitten series takes place in a town called Smitten, an old logging town that reinvents itself into Vermont's love capital.  

These novellas center on 4 women; Anna, and her 3 daughters (Tess, Zoe and Clare.)  As they go through the ups and downs of  life and finding love they work to solve a mystery about a past romance of Grandma Rose's.  Apparently she was engaged to a soldier, thought to be MIA, until one day they discover his dog tags in Grandma's attic. They all go on a wild (and highly entertaining) goose chase to answer their questions.

I  liked this book.  It is an easy read, but full of fun, comforting stories.  It is a little slice of feel-good, knock your socks off romance and adventure.  The characters are fun and lively, and the town of Smitten becomes more endearing with each chapter.  Well done ladies!

Here is a link of my review of their first book, Smitten.  Equally as good, and all about how Smitten came to be a love capital. http://simplychangingchapters.blogspot.ca/2011/12/smitten-by-by-colleen-coble-kristin.html

4 Stars Out of 5

This book was provided to me for free by BookSneeze contingent on a non-biased review.

Isle of Shadow by Tracy L. Higley

Set in the Greek Island of Rhodes, this historical novel is set right between the Old and New Testament.  Tessa of Delos, an ancient-day escort and enslaved by the powerful politician Glaucus finds herself in the precarious position of trying to cover up his accidental death.  She meets Nikos, a slave who has the ability to turn her stone heart into a living one and unravel her feelings.  She finds a friend in Simeon, a kind Jewish head servant who seems to know about a kind of freedom she has never heard of.  Surrounded by powerful men, can she out-plot them to cheat her destiny and change her future?

Greek history is a fascinating topic in itself, but when coupled with Tracey Higley's writing abilities and insights, it is a great read.  A few twists and turns makes for some suspense, but I liked the characters and their heart journey's the best.  I even stayed up late to read the ending, I really needed to know what would happen to Tessa!

Another one of Higley's books (which I liked even better) is called Garden of Madness, http://simplychangingchapters.blogspot.ca/2012/03/garden-of-madness-by-tracy-l-higley.html  I have to say I am becoming a fan of her work!

I received this book for free from BookSneeze contingent on a non-biased review.

Here's Lilly by Nancy Rue

This is a delightful book designed for elementary age girls.  My 6 year old daughter and I read this story, about a spirited 6th grader named Lilly Robbins.  Its main theme and message centers around true beauty and what that really looks like.  

One day at school, Lilly takes part in a presentation by a women in the modeling industry.  After receiving some positive attention about her looks, she becomes obsessed with an upcoming modeling contest, and ends up loosing her true self in the process.  

I loved this book because it shows how even the main character (who generally has a decent head on her shoulders) can get caught up in vain pursuits.  It is so difficult for girls to receive positive messages about body image in a way they will really identify with, and I like how Nancy Rue combines fiction and non-fiction in these series to really drive home a message of biblical beauty.  

But I will really give my 6 year old the vote on this one, and she "loves it!"

This book was provided to me for free by Booksneeze, contingent on an unbiased review.