A Lineage of Grace: Five Stories of Unlikely Women Who Changed Eternity
by Francine Rivers
http://www.amazon.com/Lineage-Grace-Stories-Unlikely-Eternity/dp/0842356320/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325621660&sr=8-1 - Find it at Amazon here.
While not typically "into" romance novels, my cousin loaned me the book by Francine Rivers so I thought to myself, "What the heck, I might as well read it." While I didn't find the literary quality of the book to be incredible, I did enjoy the read. It helped me see the Biblical stories in a modern and easy to understand way.
I appreciated the actual Scripture passages included after each story. Granted, Rivers takes liberties in imagining things which may have been, but you are aware it is in story form and with those Scriptures available to read as well,so you can easily see for yourself what is factual.
Overall, this book helped remind me that God uses HUMANS - people who make mistakes but who have a heart that seeks after Him. Because the book is in story form - I understood the awkward situations these ladies were in much better.
Since the book respectfully mentions intimate things, I would not recommend this book for younger ladies. But, they are Biblical facts. I had forgotten how clear and descriptive the Bible could be about....s-e-x. *smiles*
A Place Called Blessing: Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins
by John Trent and Annette Smith
http://www.amazon.com/Place-Called-Blessing-Hurting-Begins/dp/0849946182/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325621797&sr=1-4 - Find it at Amazon here.
My Mom gave me this book for Christmas. It was a super easy read. Very simplistic writing style. Truthfully, it seemed more along the lines of a Reader's Digest story than an actual book. At the end I was left thinking, "Nice story, uhm, that's it? Did I miss something?" But yes, I did enjoy the it overall. *grins* Perhaps if I were familiar with Trent's other book - The Blessing - I might have "caught on" a bit better.
The story is an example of the love, forgiveness and acceptance that only God can give. The book seemed real-to-life and as though you were listening to someone give their personal testimony.
And there you have it! My December reads. Perhaps I will find the time to read more during January - while I fight boxes, final remodeling projects AND the never-ending concussion! Oh wait....and then there's my beautiful toddler who so wants to be potty trained. *BIG grin*
Grace and joy to you...
