The Grace Effect by Larry Taunton

“Simply defined, the ‘grace effect’ is an observable phenomenon—that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes.”

What does Christianity give us beyond televangelists, potlucks, and bad basketball leagues? Not much, according to the secular Left. The world, they say, would be a better place without it.

Historian and Christian apologist Larry Taunton has spent much of his career refuting just this sort of thinking, but when he encounters Sasha, a golden-haired Ukranian orphan girl whose life has been shaped by atheistic theorists, he discovers an unlikely champion for the transforming power of grace.

Larry Taunton gives a firsthand account of life in a world without Christianity. Using his experience with the adoption process of Sasha, Mr. Taunton helps us comprehend what we have been blessed not to endure. In a society that ignores God, where are the morals, the values, the joy?  How can a world without God be best for us?  Mr. Taunton sets out to show how just one life touched by grace can start a domino effect of changed lives.

I have been a foster parent and have had the opportunity to love on children who had been abused and neglected.  The conditions in the orphanage brought tremendous pain to my heart.  Anger swelled as I read of the children being more of a commodity than a human life.

Sasha's ability to blossom into a precious young lady, having experienced deplorable living conditions and a lack of love and human kindness can be summed up in one word, GRACE!!! 

Whether you are a Christian or a non-Christian, this book will touch your heart.  The Grace Effect made me get on my knees and thank God for His lovingkindness.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Love & Respect Experience by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

Dr. Eggerichs has crafted a fifty-two week devotional that will appeal to both wives and husbands as they to listen to what God has to say to them. The Love & Respect Experience is an effective tool to help you and your spouse invigorate your experience with God and rejuvenate your marriage with love and respect.

I must preface my review with the fact that I am not married.  I am, however, involved with ministering to women and am constantly on the lookout for material to assist with the ministry.

I see this book more as ways to start a conversation with your spouse as opposed to a devotional.  The 52 weeks of material contain very basic subject matter for having non-threatening conversations with your spouse, while learning to understand and accept their point of view. The topics covered can allow for shallow to indepth communication between spouses and when unsure, there are discussion questions to assist.

This is a good starter book for engaged and newly wed couples to explore communicating either before marriage or in the early stages.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Ascent from Darkness by Michael Leehan

Michael Leehan lived and worked for satan for 20 years of his life.  His book relates his encounters and enslavement to the powers of the darkness.  Michael shares his struggles with spiritual warfare, addiction, depression and hopelessness.  Michael Leehan also shares his ventures into ritualistic cuttings, blood sacfifices, jail time, job loss, isolation from friends and family and his assignments from satan.

WOW! This book drew me in yet I found I could only read it in small doses.  Michael's willingness to be honest about what is kept in the dark is to be applauded.  To God be the Glory!

Ascent from Darkness showed how easily satan works and some of his methods.  This book reinforced my need to be praying for lost souls, my need to be in the WORD, in fellowship and to be held accountable. 

I hope there will be a sequel that shares more about his journey since becoming a Christian.  I highly recommend this book but I also encourage you to pray before and during and after your time of reading it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sunrise on the Battery

Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are former small town people. Having arrived, they are now living the life they've always wanted while continuing to climb the social ladder.  Ultimately, they desire to give their three daughters a life far better than they had growing up, at least materialistically speaking.

A surprise encounter leads Mary Lynn back to the God of her youth and yet, she is unable to share her newfound faith with Jackson. On the precipice of getting into the highest of social circles, Jackson experiences a Damascus Road experience, which causes him to commit social suicide.

Can their marriage survive the new Jackson and his change of priorities for his family?

I found the beginning of this book to be slow, picking up momentum in the middle and racing at the end.  While the book did tie up the various parts of the story, I feel it ended too soon, that there was more to explore.

This book provided me with self-exploring questions, such as, what if one of my family members became totally sold out to God?  How would I react?  Would it test my comfort levels? 

What if I totally sold myself out to God?  Could I sell my home and give away all that I owned to follow Jesus?

While I enjoyed the concept, I did not enjoy, what I consider, an abrupt ending.

Would I recommend this book?  Yes but not highly.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

One Call Away by Brenda Warner

Brenda Warner shares her life of faith in her book "One Call Away".  Brenda found herself living through any woman's nightmare: a healthy baby tragically injured, an end to a career she loved, betrayal by her spouse, divorce, poverty, death of her parents, all as the result of one shattering phone call at a time.

Not really knowing anything about Brenda Warner, I figured this would be a fairy tale romance, after all, she married Kurt Warner, but I was quite surprised.  I was captivated by her love story and I am not talking about her love for Kurt.  I am talking about her love for God.  Even when she was not living as God would have liked, she had no doubt that God would take care of her and her family.

Brenda's story evoked questions as I read, such as why, with such a strong faith, she made choices that went against God's Word, i.e., sex before marriage. It is those questions about her choices and her faith that kept me reading.  Brenda allows herself to be real in her story.  There were times I wanted to shake her, when I thought she was being too self-centered and then there were times, like the death of her parents, when I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her.

Can this book encourage you in your faith? Yes.  Can it help you get off the fence if you are undecided about accepting Jesus as your savior? Yes.  Can it make you laugh?  Yes.  Can it make you cry?  Yes. 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Stained Glass Hearts by Patsy Clairmont

In her book, Stained Glass Hearts, Patsy Clairmont compares people to stained glass windows.  She offers insights into how God restores and redeems what seems broken beyond repair.  Through the use of personal experience, art and music, she show beauty created through pain and brokenness.

I have always loved Patsy Clairmont, her wit and wisdom, her transparency and tranquility.  Her stories rock of God's desire and ability to restore and redeem.  While this book differed from others of hers, I liked it. At the end of each chapter is "The Art Gallery" which provides things to research at the library or online. I enjoyed that she took me out of the book and caused me to explore the worlds of art and music in order to bring a complete understanding of the point she was making. 

As I am one of many broken people in the process of being restored, I was able to connect with most of the insights she provides in this book.  While some of this is not new insight, it is presented in a way that I believe will connect to broken people, especially women.

This book is an easy read, which most times, broken people need.  I recommend it for those who are in the process of being restored as well as for those who need a starting place.  I am glad I have a Stained Glass Heart.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Sweet Sanctuary by Sheila Walsh & Cindy Martinusen Coloma

Single mom Wren is living in a cottage on her mom's property with her son Charlie.  Charlie is gifted and Wren fights hard to give Charlie stability and security while wrestling with getting him into a prestigious music academy which has expressed an interest in his talent. Throw into the mix, a visit from Grandma Ruth, who wants a birthday party, a handsome man who would like to be Wren's suitor and 2 estranged siblings and you have the makings of a story dealing with forgiveness and healing.

While I enjoyed the foundation of the story, I found the storyline a little meandering, which made the book a slow read. The suspenseful part was more predictable than suspenseful.

I did connect with the main character, Wren and could fully understand the relationship with her sister Barb.  Some of the characters seemed to be thrown into the book without just cause.  It is like they are in this chapter and gone the next so did they need to be in it at all?

The overall message was of forgiveness and healing and the book did accomplish addressing those issues.  Was I challenged in my faith or was I entertained?  Not really.

Should you buy the book?  Perhaps at a thrift store or garage sale.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”