The Story of Your Life

The Story of Your Life (Inspiring Stories of God at Work in People Just Like You)

by Matthew West & Angela Thomas

When I first heard about this book, I was so excited for it to be published. I loved the concept of the book - take a bunch of peoples' stories and write about how God is working in their lives - and I also loved Matthew West and Angela Thomas. So when I learned that Harvest House was offering it on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance and requested to review it. 

I have seen both Matthew West and Angela Thomas live. I actually met Matthew before his concert at my church in 2005, as I was the administrative assistant/young adult ministry event organizer at the time. I loved how down to earth he was. He also gave a fabulous concert! Listening to his album History takes me back to those fun days in 2005 every time! I saw Angela Thomas live at an Extraordinary Women conference in Columbus, Ohio in 2009. I will always remember her story of redemption - of how she, as a divorced mother of several children, met her prince charming who loved her so much, and loved her kids as his own. I think I may have wiped away a tear or two, but if anyone was sitting near me back then, I had something in my eye...

I really liked this book. First off, let me explain how the book came to be. Matthew West was working on a new album called The Story of Your Life, in which he planned to write songs based on stories and testimonies he received from fans. While talking to his friend Angela Thomas one day, he explained what his new album was all about. She told him he needed to write a book based on peoples' stories too, and that she would help him write it. Each chapter begins with someone's 1-2 page story, followed by a response in the form of a devotional from Angela or Matthew. 

The only thing I would change is the length of the stories. I found myself wishing they would have been longer, so as to create more of a connection with the person giving the testimony. I feel this book would be a valuable resource for anyone who is feeling dry spiritually, or just needs some inspiration to keep walking with Christ. 

I definitely recommend this book, and am happy to have it in my collection of devotionals.

This book is now available at your favorite bookseller from Harvest House Publishers. 

About the authors:

Matthew West:

GRAMMY ® nominee Matthew West along with best selling author Angela Thomas (Do You Think I'm Beautiful, My Single Mom Life and more) are uniting to release The Story of Your Life: Inspiring Stories of God at Work in People Just Like You with Harvest House Publishers this September.

The book from West comes as a follow-up to his best-selling, latest CD The Story of Your Life where he received 10,000 personal stories from individuals in every state in the U.S. and 20 countries. Upon its release, The Story of Your Life garnered attention from CNN, Fox News, Billboard Magazine, Country Weekly, AOL's TheBoot.com and more.

West received such an overwhelming response that he could not include all of the stories in the album, and the idea of a book was born to create an opportunity to expose even more meaningful stories. The letters covering topics such as bullying, divorce and adoption have now been turned into redemptive and hopeful devotions in this latest book. This devotional journey inspires readers to discover God as the author of their unique lives and to share the power of their story.


Source: CM Spin

Angela Thomas:

Angela Thomas is the best-selling author of numerous books including Do You Know Who I Am, Do You Think I'm Beautiful, and My Single Mom Life. She is a gifted teacher and story-teller speaking to thousands each year. Angela teaches and transparently shares life experiences that draw her and others into a deeper passion for knowing God. Angela graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill & Dallas Theological Seminary.  She has filmed and written five video studies with LifeWay including Brave & When Wallflowers Dance.  Living in Greensboro, North Carolina, Angela is also a wife, mother and an ordinary woman.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers through NetGalley. 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." 

Waiting for Morning

Waiting for Morning

by Karen Kingsbury

Karen Kingsbury has been my favorite author for some time now. I have read most of her books, and always wait eagerly for her next one. So when I saw that Waterbrook Multnomah was offering Waiting for Morning for review, I quickly requested it because it was one of the few books by Kingsbury that I hadn't read. 

Hannah Ryan has just lost her husband, Tom, and oldest daughter, Alicia, in a horrible car crash, due to a drunk driver. Her youngest daughter, Jenny, survived, but Hannah only seems to see Tom and Alicia as the victims in the accident. Hannah harbors a deep hatred for Brian Wesley, the drunk driver who killed her family, and starts to believe that the only thing that will bring her peace will be to see him behind bars for life. 

She is also bitter towards God and starts to believe that a God who would allow suffering couldn't possibly exist. Believers Matt Bronzan, the district attorney, and friend Carol Cummins, who volunteers for the local Mothers Against Drunk Driving, come alongside her during her darkest time. Will she allow God back into her life, or will her bitterness overtake her?

I loved this book. I believe it was God's prompting me to read this book during a time of my life when I really needed to read the message in it. I had been harboring bitterness towards someone, and couldn't seem to find my way out of it. After I finished this book, I felt like I had not only read Hannah's story, but my own as well, even though our stories were very different. I came to the realization that I need to forgive, and I could forgive, because Jesus did the same for me. Forgiveness is a process, and it is not easy, but it is what God asks us to do. 

Do I recommend this book? Absolutely, with 5 stars! If I could give it 6, I would!

To read a section of the book, click here.

Please rank my review here.

About the author:

After graduating from college in 1986 with a degree in journalism, Karen became a full-time reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Her first book, Missy’s Murder, was based on a murder story she covered in Los Angeles as a reporter. She sold a version of the story to People magazine in 1989. A New York agent read her People story and asked her for a book proposal. The book hit stores in 1992. She then wrote three more true crime novels. Next she wrote four collections of answered prayers and miracle stories before transitioning to inspirational fiction in 1998.

Her first novel, Where Yesterday Lives, was a real challenge for Karen to get published. Although publishing companies said they liked the story, they were not sure what to do with it since it didn’t contain foul language and had no sex scenes. Finally, the Christian publishing house Multnomah, published her novel and gave her a multi-book contract. Her books made a real connection with contemporary romance fans. Since her first novel, Karen has written more than 40 faith based novels, many of which have hit #1 on national lists. There are more than 15 million copies of her award-winning books in print.

Dubbed by Time magazine as the “queen” of Christian fiction, Karen receives tens of thousands of letters from readers who say that Karen’s fiction has dramatically changed their lives. These letters and e-testimonials of improved marriages, spiritual awakenings and new found hope have enabled her to formally trademark her work Life-Changing Fiction™.

Karen lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Don. They were married in June, 1988 and have six children, three of whom were adopted from Haiti. You can read her Adoption story. 

They celebrate their faith daily by laughing, loving and living life to the fullest. You can contact Karen atmoc.yrubsgniKneraK@neraK.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah. 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." 

Blue Skies Tomorrow

Blue Skies Tomorrow 

by Sarah Sundin

Helen Carlisle is a World War II widow with a 2 year-old son, JJ. It's been a year since her husband's death, and she feels obligated to play the part of mourning widow. Her in-laws have taken her in, but not without a price. 

Raymond Novak is a pilot for the Army. Though he's never been to war, he teaches men how to fly in combat. He struggles with the fact that he doesn't have the desire to go into combat, as both of his brothers went to war. 

Raymond has known Helen since she was a child. Ten years her senior, he has always been a "hero" in Helen's eyes. Now the two have developed feelings for each other. But Helen struggles with the demons of her past. Will the couple be able to sustain their love?

I really enjoyed this book. The World War II era is one of my favorite time periods. There was so much going on during that time, and the courage and heroism that many displayed are intriguing to me. What makes this book so interesting is the author's treatment of serious issues - issues that are also relative to today's society. Sundin does a great job of telling the story of Raymond and Helen, and keeping the feel of the World War II era. Another of my favorite parts of the book is Raymond's exploits when he finally goes off to war. Sundin definitely kept my attention during this part of the book! 

Would I recommend this book? Yes.

This book is available at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. 

About the author, Sarah Sundin:

Sarah Sundin followed an unusual career path for a novelist, receiving a bachelor's in chemistry from UCLA and a doctorate in pharmacy from UC San Francisco. She now lives in northern California with her husband, three children, an antisocial cat, and a yellow lab determined to eat her manuscripts. When not driving kids to soccer and tennis, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches women's Bible studies and fourth- and fifth-grade Sunday school. She has been writing since 2000 and belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers and Christian Authors Network. She is the author of the Wings of Glory series - A Distant Melody (Revell 2010), A Memory Between Us (2010), and Blue Skies Tomorrow (August 2011). In 2011 she received the Writer of the Year Award from the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A Memory Between Us was featured on Booklist's Top Ten Inspirational Fiction List for 2010. Please visit Sarah's website at http://www.sarahsundin.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. 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." 

Homeward

Homeward

by Melody Carlson

Meg Lancaster has come home to Crandale. She hasn't seen her mother (Sunny), sister (Erin), or grandmother for 20 years due to the dysfunctional family. She is eagerly greeted by Erin and her family, but Sunny still seems to hold a grudge against her for leaving. And to her great dismay, her grandfather's beloved cranberry bogs have been severely neglected, almost beyond repair. Meg sets out to restore the bogs, but not without trouble - family secrets crop up and get in the way of her work. Then tragedy strikes and she is left with unforgiveness, regrets, and uncertainty. Will Meg make her way back to the God she once loved? And will she be able to save the cranberries?

I enjoyed this book very much. This is only the second book I've read by Melody Carlson (I posted a review on the first book I read here), but I am finding that I really like her style. Her themes of redemption and forgiveness strike a familiar chord with me. I also enjoy learning something new - in this book it was learning how cranberries are grown. Reading about the bogs was fascinating to me - so fascinating that I think I will have to visit a bog sometime! 

I would definitely recommend this book, and would love to read more of Melody's books. As noted in her bio below, she has written over 200 books, so I have some catching up to do! 

Of note, this Rita-award winning book was originally written in 1997, and is now available as an e-book for $2.99.

About the Author:

Melody Carlson published her first book in 1995 and she has been writing prolifically ever since. To date, Melody has published over 200 books, making her one of the top 20 most prolific authors of all time. With total sales of over 1.4 million her award-winning books include: Homeward, Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon; Limelight; the Diary of a Teenage Girl series; the True Colors series; and the Charter House Girls series.

In her professional life, Melody has worn many hats: from pre-school teacher to political activist to senior editor. Currently, she writes full-time, and freelances from her home. She has two grown sons and lives in Sisters, Oregon with her husband, Chris, and Bailey, her chocolate lab. They enjoy skiing, hiking, and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Glass Road Public Relations. 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."