WELCOME TO MY BLOG!

I am so pleased that you have stopped by for a visit. I hope you will enjoy reading my book reviews. If you would be interested in reviewing books on your own blog, check out the links for litfuse and Booksneeze.



Friday, October 16, 2009

BOOK REVIEW: "WHAT DIFFERENCE DO IT MAKE?"



Ron Hall and Denver Moore have written a follow-up to their New York Times best-seller, Same Kind Of Different As Me. 
The back cover copy reads in part:
     "What Difference Do It Make? continues the hard-to-believe story of hope and reconciliation...Ron Hall and Denver Moore, unlikely friends and even unliklier coauthors-a wealthy fine-art dealer and an illiterate homeless African American-share the hard-to-stop story of how a remarkable woman's love brought them together."

This book, written along with Lynn Vincent, offers more of the story.  Many people's lives have been impacted and changed as a result of reading the first book, and a number of anedotes are shared in the second book.  The challenge for each of us is that WE can make a difference in our world.

"What Difference Do It Make? beautifully showcases God's ability to work through even the most awkward and painful circumstances to bring forth amazing and redemptive changes.  Deeply moving but never sappy or sentimental, it answers its own question with a simple and emphatic answer.  What difference can one person (or two) make in the world?  A lot!"

I was deeply moved by this book.  We are part of a church-planting team, working in an area densely populated with refugees and new immigrants, and our inner city is filled with homeless people.  After reading this book, I have a new perspective and a renewed compassion to show them the love of Jesus in practical ways.  I have discovered through the words of Denver Moore the difference between helping and being a blessing.  This is a book that I am recommending for our ministry staff to read and take to heart.  I look forward to hearing more from Ron and Denver as they continue to make a difference in the name of Jesus.

Published by Thomas Nelson, this book is available through http://www.christianbooks.com/ and http://www.amazon.com/  and at book retailers everywhere.




Tuesday, October 13, 2009

BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

We are the grateful recipients of our neighbour's bountiful apple harvest.  I have made a lot of applesauce today, and the aroma is filling our home.  I want to share a favourite recipe, which is not only delicious, but so easy.

APPLESAUCE CRISP

Place applesauce in a baking dish.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg, as desired.  Cover with crumble topping, and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes, or until topping is brown.  Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

ONE-TWO-THREE CRUMBLE TOPPING

One measure flour
2 measures brown sugar, lightly packed
3 measures oatmeal
Stir together, then add 1 measure margarine or butter.  Mix until crumbly.


This topping can be made in any amount, and whatever isn't used may be frozen in freezer bags or containers.  Great to have on hand for an extra-quick dessert.

Note:  You may use sliced fresh apples, peaches, blueberries, or any fruit you desire in place of the applesauce.  Adjust baking time accordingly.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

FIT TO BE TIED - newest book by Robin Lee Hatcher just released!



Fit To Be Tied is the second book in Robin Lee Hatcher's Sisters Of Bethlehem Springs series.  It is now available through http://www.christianbooks.com/

Robin's website is www.robinleehatcher.com. Be sure and check out Robin's other novels, including the first in the Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series, A Vote Of Confidence.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey releases today!

http://vimeo.com/6374782

List of Participants in Mary DeMuth's Blogtour for "A Slow Burn" - Check out these reviews of Mary's newest release!

Admissions of a Suburban Philosopher


All are welcome here

A Musing Mom Speaks

A Sandy Path Book Reviews

A Writer’s Journey

Adventures of the Duncan Six

AP Free Writing 101

Arkansas Dreams

Aspire2 Blog

Awesome God…Ordinary Girl

Be Your Best Mom

Beams of Light Ministries

Bell Whistle Moon

Blog Tour Spot

Bluebonnet in the Snow

Book Nook Club

Caregiving and Beyond

Carla’s Writing Cafe

Carly Bird’s Home

Carma’s Window

Cheaper by the Half Dozen

Cindy’s Stamping and Reviews

Communicating the Vision

CommuniKate

Critty Joy

Declaring His Marvelous Work

Drive Home Productions

Edgewise

Elizabeth Bussey

Faith…Creativity…Life

Fiction for the Restless Reader

Fictionary

First Impressions

Five Bazillion and One

Fresh Brewed Writer

Gatorskunz and Mudcats

Heading Home

His Reading List

i don’t believe in grammar

J’s Spot

Joy in the Journey

Karen R. Evans

Kristin Early

L’Chaim

Latte with Me

Lit Fuse

Literary Fangirl Book Reviews

Luxury Reading

Merrie Destefano

Mocha with Linda

Moments with MarLo

Musings by Lynn

Musings of Edwina

My Alabaster Box

My Life Message

Net’s Book Notes

Niki Nowell

One Desert Rose

Paper Bridges

Passionate for the Glory of God

Pollywog Creek

Ranunculus Turtle

Real Hurts, Real Hope

Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Refresh My Soul

Restore

Scraps and Snippets

Sheila Deeth

Sherri Woodbridge

Sky-High View

Snapshot’s Photoblog

Surviving the Chaos

The 160-acre Woods

The Gospel Writer

The Harrison Kaleidoscope

The Heart of Writing

The Stubborn Servant

The View from Here

This That and The Other

To Be Beautiful

Unreasonable Grace

Walking Daily

WhadUsay

Where Romance Meets Therapy

Word Vessel

Write 2 Ignite

Write on the Knows

Writer’s Wanderings

Writing to the heart of the matter

A SLOW BURN by Mary DeMuth releases today!



"A Slow Burn" by Mary DeMuth is the second book in her Defiance, Texas series.  It picks up where "Daisy Chain" left off.  Daisy Chance, a young teen, has been missing, and is found dead.  "A Slow Burn" centres on the tragic circumstances of Daisy's mother, Emory Chance.  The book deals with the harsh realities of life.  Emory blames herself and her poor choices for the tragedy of her daughter's disappearance and death.  She is weighted down with guilt, feelings of rejection and not being good enough.  But God is pursuing Emory with His relentless love and boundless grace.  Will Emory accept that love and grace, finding redemption and healing in the midst of her brokenness?
This is not light reading, but is at times disturbing, as Mary probes deeply into the characters' lives.  This is a story to be read slowly and thoughtfully.  I look forward to the continuation of this story of hope as it unfolds, leaving us with the message that no one is beyond the reach of our Redeeming God.