REVIEW: REKINDLED

Rekindled by Tamera Alexander

Larson Jennings doesn't feel he's worthy of his wife, Kathryn -- he feels he doesn't deserve her. These feelings are only heightened by his accident.

Not seeing her husband for over 5 months, Kathryn believes the worst, and attempts to move on with her life.

This story is a very well-written, beautiful tale that tells of how God can take tragedy, and make from it something beautiful -- far more beautiful and amazing than our human minds could ever imagine or hope for.

I loved how the author used each chapter ending to leave you wanting more. And, I loved how she also used humor to keep the story light.

Highly recommended!

I look forward to reading more by Ms. Alexander, for sure!

Rated: A (excellent!)

REVIEW: GIFTED HANDS: The Dr. Ben Carson Story

Gifted Hands by M.D., Carson, Murphey

I've got a lot of "favorite" books, but one of my top ones is "GIFTED HANDS: THE DR. BEN CARSON STORY" by Dr. Ben Carson with Cecil Murphey. It's a memoir of how Dr. Carson grew up in a poor, African American neighborhood, and yet, because of his mother's love and influence, he went on to become head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. It's an amazingly inspiring book! I read it first as a teen, and then again a year or two ago, and I HIGHLY recommend it. It sends the message that you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to, despite your circumstances, if you really work hard, and put all you've got into it. :o)

Rated: A+ (excellent!)

REVIEW: FINDING ANNA

Finding Anna by Christine Schaub

Horatio Gates Spafford is a man driven to excel at what he does. He works for endless hours, and his wife suffers the consequences.
Anna Spafford is a woman with a quiet spirit. She often takes life as it is given to her, bowing to others' wishes, even if her needs and wants go unmet in the process.
And, God has a way of reaching these people, even through the shells they've built around themselves.
I was not completely taken with this book. I found it very frustrating that the author more often "told" rather than "showed", and this same frustration is the reason, I believe, why I didn't connect with the characters, or come to care for them. I felt very removed from this story.
Despite these flaws, the messages sprinkled throughout this book are quite powerful: strength and peace despite suffering, forgiveness when it's hardest, living a life of servitude, and leading others to Christ by example rather than preaching.
Not a wonderful book, but not a bad book, either.

Rated: C (average)