A Clearing in the Wild by Jane Kirkpatrick

A Clearing in the Wild by Jane Kirkpatrick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Young Emma Wagner seems to be born into controversy.
As a Bethelite woman she is expected to be content with a simple communal life where everyone dresses the same, individuality is frowned upon, and women are expected to keep silence. When Emma Sets her heart on marrying Christian Giesy despite the fact the leader of the colony opposes it, it doesn't take a lot of persuasion for him to agree to letting her accompany her new husband and a group of scouts on a mission to Oregon.
As their scouting mission progresses Emma begins to question the Bethelite leader and his ideas that women are little more than the servants of men. As she begins to find her voice in a male dominated society, she also starts to believe that God chooses individuals not communities, and that He made His creation to be unique and individual.
A Clearing in the Wild is absolutely inspiring!
Although she can be selfish and short sighted at times, Emma is a heroine. She follows the old German proverb " Begin to weave/God provides the thread". Even when things don't make sense she still "weaves", still leads as God guides her and provides the "thread".

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

Jane Kirkpatrick is a best-selling, award-winning author whose previous historical novels include All Together in One Place and Christy Award finalist A Tendering in the Storm. An international keynote speaker, she has earned regional and national recognition for her stories based on the lives of actual people, including the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Hall of Fame. Jane is a Wisconsin native who since 1974 has lived in Eastern Oregon, where she and her husband, Jerry, ranch 160 rugged acres.

Buy the book here...  http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=93262

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!!

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Gideon's Gift ~ Karen Kingsbury

Gideon's Gift: A Novel by Karen Kingsbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hadn't read this book in a long time, I knew I liked it but it was even better than I remembered it!
Gideon is dying of Leukemia but when she is told she is in remission the first thing she wants to do is help feed the street people at the local mission. Here she meets "Old Earl", who has given up on life after he loses his wife and little girl. Gideon is determined to help him believe again but she knows her time is running out so she prays for a miracle so big that it could only be a Christmas miracle.
This is such a heartwarming book! The kind that leaves you feeling more thankful and aware of less fortunate people around you.
Add this book to your Christmas reading list! You won't regret it!

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The Christmas Shoes ~ Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a modern Christmas classic! Who hasn't heard the song, watched the movie, and read the book?
This book is only 129 pages but don't let the size fool you, there is so much to this story!
I almost cry every time I read the part where the little boy says "my dad said that Mama might leave to see Jesus tonight.... I want her to look beautiful when she meets Jesus."
This is such a wonderful Christmas book! I highly recommend making this little book a Christmas tradition!

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Couragous ~ By Randy Alcorn

Courageous by Randy Alcorn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read this book once before and thought it was OK but after rereading it I was surprised how much I had missed the first time through.
This book is definitely NOT just for men and fathers, there is SO much about forgiveness, true love, and salvation through Christ Jesus!
I was deeply touched by many of the characters in this book but especially Nathan, his devotion and sincerity is absolutely inspiring!
Makes me want to be a better "Jesus follower"!!!

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Christmas Interview and Giveaway with Pam Funke!

 ~ How do you usually celebrate the holidays? My family and I usually spend the week before Christmas baking cookies for ourselves and to give out to our friends and neighbors. Christmas day is spent opening presents, visiting family and friends, cooking a big dinner and watching Christmas movies/specials together.

 ~ What's your favorite holiday treat? My favorite holiday treat is Coburg Eggnog and Molasses cookies.
 
~ Are there any Christmas movies or songs that you love over others? My favorite Christmas movies are Miracle on 34th Street and A Christmas Story. My favorite Christmas song is Oh Holy Night.

 
~ What three words could you use to describe what Christmas means to you? love family God

 ~ You're walking down the street and you see a store full of Christmas decorations. What do you do? Go in the store of course and look at all the decorations for new ideas.

Also visit Pam's Funke's website and follow her blog at.. http://thefourhorsemenseries.blogspot.com/

And check out the 25 Authors of Christmas Blog Tour here!!!!
 http://bound2astound.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-25-authors-of-christmas-blog-tour.html


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The Christmas Sweater ~ Glenn Beck

The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After Eddies dad died three years ago his mom took on multiple jobs just to make ends meet, but this year Eddie is determined to get a bicycle for Christmas. But all Christmas morning brings is an ugly homemade sweater.
Eddie takes his anger and frustration out on his mom for what "she's" done to him.
But when she is killed that night through a tragic set of circumstances Eddie can't let go of the fact that he didn't tell her he was sorry.
He let's his anger begin to control him, until he doesn't even know who he is anymore. Not knowing how to deal with the past he decides to ignore it and shut out everyone associated with those past memories, especially his grandparents.
Eventually he is miserable, he has deeply hurt the people around him, he is consumed in his own guilt, anger, and self-pity. Although he wants to change he is too afraid to face the storm that now stands between him and forgiveness.

This is by far my favorite Christmas book!! It is a dramatic and emotional story that I couldn't imagine not reading every Christmas. I can't recommend this book enough!
Even if you do not agree with Glenn Beck's political views, don't let it keep you from reading this book, there is nothing political at all in The Christmas Sweater.




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All I Have To Give ~ Melody Carlson

All I Have to Give: A Christmas Love Story by Melody Carlson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It's only three weeks until Christmas and Anna is afraid she has ovarian cancer. She determines she will make this the "best Christmas ever". But her husband Michael knows nothing about her symptoms or her plans and she begins to feel neglected by his long hours at the office. Her sister Meridith is thinking about getting a divorce, and Anna starts to wonder why Michael is never at work on the nights he can't come home.
It looks like her "best Christmas ever" is going to quickly turn into the worst Christmas ever!

After reading "The Gift of Christmas Present" by Melody Carlson, I wasn't expecting much more than just a good Christmas book, and I wasn't disappointed.
The plot was extremely predictable but at least the characters were well thought out and verily believable.
If you are looking for a quick, festive read this CHRISTmas season than you will probably like this book.



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The Gift of Christmas Present ~ Melody Carlson

The Gift of Christmas Present by Melody Carlson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


When Christine learns that her Mom and Dad aren't her birth parents, and that her real Mother was killed shortly after she was born she sets out to find her estranged Grandmother.
But when she arrives her Grandma thinks she is there for a housekeeping job. Christine decides to play along in order to learn more about the mother she never knew, but what she finds is a web of lies and guilt that hurt worse than she could have ever imagined.
I really liked the plot of this story but the characters are too unbelievable and shallow.
I understand that it is a rather short book but I thought the character development was exceptionally weak, even for a novella.



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