Favorite Christian Books

Archive for 2012

I normally stay away from Christmas stories, but this year has been a little different. I’ve actually read FIVE Christmas books all of which I enjoyed. Here’s a brief look at the books I’ve read this season.

First was Silent Night: A Rock Harbor Christmas Novella  by one of my favorite authors, Colleen Coble. I love the Rock Harbor series and was really excited about this installment. Initially I was a little disappointed at first because of the timing issue, but I ended up enjoying the book. I hope that Colleen Coble has more opportunities to take us back to Rock Harbor. Love Bree and Kade so much. (Received this book from the publisher)

Next up was Christy Barritt’s book 2.5 in her Squeaky Clean Mysteries, It Came Upon a Midnight Crime.  I really enjoyed this story. Gabby St. Clair is such a kick of a character. I loved this story and watching her save Christmas. My only regret is I didn’t read this before reading the final book in the series. But I ended up reading the series out of order from the beginning. Maybe someday I can read it again in order. (Bought the book)

Christmas at Harrington’s was next. I’ve read at least one other Melody Carlson book geared for teens or young adults. This was geared to adults and my favorite of the three books I read by Melody. I loved the premise of this story. Lena spent seven years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. With only some thrift store clothes and a few dollars from the volunteer social worker. Heading to a new town for a new start things are starting to look up. Of course, they crash, but it was to be suspected. This was a wonderful story that I thoroughly enjoyed. (Received this book free on Amazon)

I found that I had another Melody Carlson Christmas book on my Kindle, this one was All I Have to Give. This was a very predictable story, but it was still well worth the time. Anna and Michael were dealing with something many couples deal with, infertility, but now Anna fears there’s more wrong. It will leave you feeling good at the end.

The final Christmas story I read was another Melody Carlson book, this one was The Christmas Shoppe. Another unique story with some interesting twists. I think of the three Carlson books this one had the strongest message, including the importance of not judging others by their appearance. (There were several messages in this story). Again, I received this book free on Amazon.

I haven’t read this many Christmas books at one time ever, but I enjoyed them and would recommend any of them. They all have one thing in common, they are happy ending stories. Which is okay, especially in light of the events last week we need some happy endings.

About this Book

We need more than status updates—we need relationships.

Learning about God’s Heart from the TGIF (Twitter, Google, iPhone, Facebook) Generation

The explosion in social networking is perhaps the most visible expression of the human longing to know others and to be known. Is there a parallel in contemporary Christianity?

The church posts a welcome sign outside, but has Christianity lost sight of reaching the current generation with the heart of the gospel? Drawing from years of Leonard Sweet’s paradigm-shifting analyses, Real Church in a Social-Network World delivers ahead-of-the-curve observations and insights into the intersection of the gospel and richer relationships in an ever-changing culture of TGIFers (those who connect using Twitter, Google, the iPhone, and Facebook).
·   Find out how to recover the gospel’s unique emphasis on real relationship
·   Experience the promise and reward of relationship and reconciliation in everyday life
·   Learn how the driving desire for connection, understanding, and belonging give evidence of the deepest longings of the human soul

This provocative eBook offers practical guidance to leaders and followers, believers and seekers, and anyone who is ready to explore the human longing for relationship.

My Review

The title of this book may lead you to believe that this was going to be a “how-to” in utilizing Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets. However, it is really isn’t much about using social networks. What it is a strong reminder of how we as the church should be responding to those in this world. Facebook reports as of September 2012 1 billion users, never before have we’ve been so connected. Yet the author points out what people really want is relationship.

With excellent examples and imagery Mr. Sweet drives home that the media isn’t that important. What is important is developing relationships with people, demonstrating God’s love in tangible ways.

I will admit after a point I felt like I “got the message” while the author continued to remind me. I did enjoy the reminders and there were many great points made throughout the book.

If you are looking for a how-to use Twitter or Facebook then this is not the book for you. However, if you need to be reminded that first and foremost our job as Christians is to develop relationships with people then this is a great reminder.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank WaterBrook Multnomah for the opportunity to read and review this book. I was under no obligation to give anything but my honest opinion.

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Books by Leonard Sweet

About this Book

As Christmas day nears, Bree and her faithful search-and-rescue dog Samson follow the trail of a troubling mystery into the snowy forests of Rock Harbor.

Bree Matthews is preparing for Christmas guests, but her heart is reeling from the recent and tender loss of her unborn child. Her sister-in-law, Lauri, suddenly turns up on the doorstep of the lighthouse home Bree shares with her husband, Kade, in Rock Harbor. Secretive and withdrawn, Lauri seems curiously intent on discovering what happened to a parachuter who disappeared in the North Woods along Lake Superior’s icy shore.

As Bree and Samson, her search-and-rescue dog, plunge into the search, Bree wonders if Lauri may know more than she’s admitted about the parachuter. And then the clues lead them to the trail of a young woman whose family fears the worst about her disappearance.

Will the search on this snowy, silent night lead Bree and Samson to more than clues about the missing girl? And will Bree’s prayer for a baby ever be answered?

My Review

First off, I want to thank Thomas Nelson and Colleen Coble for taking us back to Rock Harbor with Bree, Samson, and the rest of the family. I love this series and thoroughly enjoyed this installment.

Christmas is coming and although Bree and Kade are preparing for family to arrive their hearts are heavy. Bree like many women is struggling with infertility, which is weighing heavily on her heart as well as Kade’s. Things become more stressful when Lauri arrives home two weeks ahead of schedule and is being evasive on the reason why.

Even in this short novel Colleen Coble draws the reader quickly into the story. The mystery behind the Lauri’s behavior and her relationship with a young man killed in a parachuting accident will keep you guessing. It’s a feel good Christmas story.

As a fan of the Rock Harbor series and many of Colleen Coble’s other books the timeline of this one bugged me at first. But I quickly got over it and enjoyed the series. I hope we get the opportunity to see Bree, Kade, Samson and the rest of the family in future books.

I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a quick and touching Christmas story. I tend to enjoy reading a series in order but this would be a great introduction to Rock Harbor series.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this story through booksneeze.com