Book Review:: A Wreath of Snow

This was my first Liz Curtis Higgins historical fiction read. I recently read The Girl's Still Got It and really enjoyed it. I honestly didn't put the author and books together until I got all my resources together for this book review. Oops.

Not that it's a bad thing though.

I just had no idea she did historical fiction (I love historical fiction). I only know her from her Bible/Devotional works (Bad Girls of the Bible ring a bell?).

She did a fantastic job with this book as well.

I am not normally into romance/love stories. I find them predictable and all the same. And I still said she did a fantastic job. Even though I saw it coming I couldn't figure out how it was going to work out! This never happens for me with this sort of thing.

It is a well written, quick read. Quite an enjoyable way to start off the holiday season that is just around the corner.

A Wreath of Snow  tells the love story of a young Scottish teacher, Meg Campbell, and a newspaper writer, Gordon Shaw, in the late 1800's. Yes, a love story. A Christian based loved story. Within this story is a tragedy that left the Campbell family in ruins and Gordon Shaw shamed. A freak Christmas Eve storm slams Meg and Gordon together. Meg bares her soul to Gordon as they walk back to the train station in the dark, cold night. Gordon, in turn, lies to her then comes clean. Some how, against Meg's pleading, Gordon ends up back the Campbell house under false pretenses to wait out the storm so he can return home by train in the morning. During his stay God opens up the door for him to be truthful. A whirlwind of events happen. Healing happens. And, yep, love happens.

Read the first chapter here.
Or view a video here.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: Grace

Do you know the definition of grace?

Do you know what it means to give or receive grace?

Do you know grace?

We all think we do. It's just something we talk about and use regularly. We say grace before meals. We use it as a name. We sing it in just about every song in church. But do we really know grace?

In his book, Grace, Max Lucado talks grace in a way you've never experienced. The grace you thought you knew will be defined in a life changing way. 

"My child, I want you in My new kingdom. I have swore away your offenses like the morning clogs, your sins like the morning mist. I have redeemed you. The transaction is sealed: the matter is settled. I, God, have made My choice. I choose you to be part of My forever family."

How wonderful it is to know that God chose you? He wanted you. And His grace to you in never ending. It doesn't matter what you've done, where you come from or what's going on in your life right now. God has grace enough for you. Lucado wants you to understand grace as never before. Fully knowing grace will change your life in ways you've never imagined. There is no fear with God because of His grace: so rest. There is no judgement with God's grace, it covers all: so let go of regrets and hurt. God's all consuming grace can fill your life with joy.

I can't even begin to write a good description of this book.

It. Is. Amazing.

Life. Changing.

Exactly what I needed at this point in my life.

It's written in a way that someone who has never experienced God or grace can be wrapped with both within the first pages. And if you have seen both, it can seep further into your life and heart with simple wording that comes alive.

If you can get your hands on a copy of this book, please do. You won't regret it.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from booksneeze.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review:: You Can't Make Me

Everyone thinks they have a strong willed child. You know, the one who won't do anything you ask them to do or blatantly does something wrong and you think they're doing it just to annoy you.

In my opinion you just have a child.

I do think there are strong willed children (my education has shown me so) but I also think the term is thrown around way to much. It's easier for a parent to say "She's strong willed" than to step up and discipline.

That being said I chose this book because I was interested to explore various parenting strategies. I don't think I have a strong willed child but she does toss food over the side of her high chair no matter what we do...that is a strong willed moment, not a strong willed child, I don't like labels.

Cynthia Ulrish Tobias is an Applied Learning specialist (if you don't know what that means check out her website). She has a series of books designed to help you parent a strong willed child, or just a child in general. In this book, You Can't Make Me [But I can be persuaded], she gives strategies for raising a strong willed child to be the best they can be. In the beginning she describes what a strong willed child is and that it is not a bad thing to have a child who purposely drives you crazy.

"Many parents automatically assume that having a strong willed child is a bad thing...it is a great gift to have a child with firm convictions, a high spirit, and a sense of adventure." Pg. 19.

Tobias also gives ways to help turn conflict around, deal with school and find the perfect career. As well as surviving a meltdown, and what to do when it gets out of control. She also address whether or not strong willed behavior is sin and how to help your child stay on track with right and wrong while still learning to be independent and nurturing their will.

"Your SWC may be God's instrument for making the world a better place"

Pg. 19-20

This book was a struggle for me to read. As I said before I do not like labels, I feel they sometimes (such as this) give an excuse to do whatever it is your think you have. Tobias talks about things she has done, such as not following the rules because she views them as guidelines, and what others have done in their manner. Say what!? No way. Not in my house and not anywhere in the world is it ok not to follow the rules because you don't think they apply to you. If you're raising your child that way...wait, that's not what this review is about. Back to the book. 

Tobias does give great parenting strategies for any child. Some of her suggestions will help you raise an independent child who can take responsibility for their own actions. 

In all, I feel you can find a better book for parenting a strong willed child that doesn't allow them to bend the rules just because you feel their strong willed...

Disclaimer: I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah for free for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.