Mind of Her Own ~ Book Review

Mind of Her Own is a story of Louisa Copeland, a stay at home mom, who feels the pressures of trying to be the perfect wife and mother exhausting.  When she receives a nasty bump on the head, Louisa wakes up thinking she is Jazz Sweet and remembers nothing of her former life.  As Jazz relearns what her former life was like, she is also searching for the key to unlock her past so she can remember who she really is.  As her husband Collin tries to help her remember, they realize that their relationship had grown stale and their love is rekindled. 

Diana Brandmeyer is funny and creates a story that many women can relate to.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down once I started it.  I love the thought that we all have this person inside of us that is waiting to come out if we will cast away some of the everyday-ness of our lives and allow ourselves to dream and rediscover who we are.  The dramatic ending of this story created a more serious tone, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read.

I received this book from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Goodbye to Yesterday Review

I enjoy reading Amish fiction, but haven't read one in quite a while.  Goodbye to Yesterday was a good way back in.  It is the first of a new six part series by Wanda E Brunstetter.

Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus are an Amish couple who are faced with the greatest challenge of their young lives. Financial struggles. Arguments. A suspected pregnancy. A last-minute trip to Middlebury, Indiana. A drug addict on the run. A deadly encounter at a Philadelphia bus station. Will their love and faith be enough to bring them back together again, against all odds?

Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.  It left a real cliff hanger and I can't wait until the other parts of the series come out.  I must say that I would have much preferred for Brunstetter to publish the entire story in one book and I found it a bit jarring to stop mid-way through the story with no closure.  I also think that while $4.97 seems to be a reasonable price for a book, when you figure there are six parts to the story, you are actually paying almost $30 for what might ordinarily be in one book.  That seems a bit on the pricey side to me.  However, it is still a good read if you are into Amish fiction.

I received this book from Handlebar Publishing for a fair and honest review.

Isaiah 26:3

A few weeks ago I met the most amazing Christian woman.  I attended a conference in Nashville and she was my roommate.  The more we talked and got to know each other, the more we seemed to click.  Before we parted ways she told me that she was committing to fast and pray for me for 3 days each month.  This touched me so deeply.  I had never had anyone to pledge to do that for me and this act of sacrifice and love was so heartfelt.  We had just met after all. 

Earlier this week I received an email from this special friend that she was beginning her time of fasting and prayer and wanted to know if I had any specific needs or prayer requests.  I replied that I would appreciate prayers for my upcoming surgery.  She replied back that she would be in prayer for me and that she had neglected to tell me earlier, but that God had given her a promise for me earlier that morning.  The verse was Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

I was so touched that she sent this to me.  I knew that this was truly from God, given what I have been dealing with. 

Later that evening I was reading a book for a blog review and it was about an Amish couple that were newlyweds.  I got to the very end of the book and about 3 pages from the end, there it was again.  Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."  Hmmm...strange.  I guess God wanted me to be sure to pay attention so he gave me the verse twice.  I had been doing pretty well with feeling peaceful about this upcoming surgery, knowing that He is in control and giving it back to Him again and again, when I do start to feel anxious. 

Yesterday morning as I was reading my daily devotion in Jesus Calling, there is was again! Isaiah 26:3.  It was at this point that I KNEW this was a promise from God if only I will trust in Him.  God wants me to meditate on this verse and feel His peace.

I have begun to get a little nervous and worried again.  As it gets closer, I just want it to be over.  This must be the reason God gave this verse to me 3 times.  He knew that I would need to have it ingrained in my mind and embossed on my heart so that when the nerves do kick in, I will remember that God promises His peace, perfect peace.

I thank God for my new friend and her heart for Him.  I thank Him for using her to shine down His love and peace upon me and I know that He has promised to keep me in perfect peace because I trust in Him.