Risen - Review

Back Cover: A Powerful Novelization from Bestselling Author Angela Hunt 
Epic in scope, yet deeply personal, this novelization offers a unique perspective on the story of the resurrection. Roman Tribune Clavius is assigned by Pilate to keep the radical followers of the recently executed Yeshua from stealing the body and inciting revolution. When the body goes missing despite his precautions, Clavius must hunt it down.
His investigation leads him from the halls of Herod Antipas to the Garden of Gethsemane and brings him in touch with believer and doubter alike. But as the body still remains missing, Clavius commits to a quest for the truth--and answers that will not only shake his life but echo throughout all of history. 
My Take: This was a wonderful book. It is a novelization of a movie coming out this month.

I liked the opportunity to see these events from a very different perspective. I think it resonated with me so much because I could relate to Clavius. He's a Roman soldier and thinks logically. He believes in the power of his ability (and the ability of Rome) to reason and come to the right outcome. He is a firm believer in duty and loyalty.

He's charged by Pilate to ensure Jesus' body is not stolen - and then to investigate when the tomb is found empty. He starts in one place -- with his own ideas about what happened and why. He is intelligent and fairly content with his world order. His one area of discontent is that he is tired of death. He's seen  and dealt too much it and doesn't have any faith in his gods to stop it.

I also approached the idea of faith like some scientist trying to dissect it and come to some logical conclusion. So I can relate to how he questions things and tries to make order out of the chaos of political machinations, zealots, miracles... He is open enough to see what has actually happened and how it may change everything.

I read in the author's notes that Rachel's character was cut from the movie and I think that's sad. Her story gave his context -- and allowed us to see a side of him that I don't think would be seen without her. I also thought her story was important in and of itself. A woman alone in that time period faced a lot of trials and I thought the way she dealt with that was very interesting.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Sensitive

I broke a fingernail on Saturday. I'm not a high maintenance girly girl, but I do have long fingernails. I don't do much of anything with them - and breaking one didn't hurt my heart or anything - but it did make me think.

The nail had covered the skin on the end of my pinky. Breaking that nail exposed sensitive skin. It didn't hurt - but everything felt differently - and ... more.

I found myself constantly touching it -- and using it to touch other things. I would use it to pet my cats, feel the fabric on my couch, the cold of my water bottle ... It was like noticing all my everyday things in a brand new way.

The experience gave me a new appreciation for the blessings I'd been taking for granted. I found myself wishing that I could break the fingernail of my heart and soul so I could be like a child -- in awe-- aware of and discovering everything and everyone around me. Loving in that no-holds-barred - nothing held back kind of way.

So, today I'm thankful for a broken fingernail and the lessons it taught me.

Irish Meadows - Review

Back Cover Summary: Irish immigrant James O’Leary has spent his life building Irish Meadows into a thriving horse farm and is not about to let hard economic times threaten its success. He intends for his daughters to marry prosperous men–ones who will secure the family’s rightful place in society, and at the same time, guarantee the future of Irish Meadows. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their father expects them to marry well. Yet despite his wishes, Brianna, the quieter sister, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry–as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards. When stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from college and distant family member Rylan Montgomery stops in on his way to the seminary in Boston, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?
My Take:

I haven't read anything else by this author, so I wasn't sure what kind of story to expect. It was a surprise in a few ways.

First of all there isn't one main couple and the book isn't focused almost entirely on their story. It's the story of two couples. Neither relationship goes as expected and the relationships are as different as the sisters.

There is also the element of Catholic believers and practices, which isn't something you see a lot in Christian fiction. Since the story revolves around Irish immigrants, it is very appropriate.

I had a hard time with the characters for a while, especially Colleen. She really starts off as a selfish, immature, manipulative... not nice person. I guess she came by it naturally because her father was playing them all like a puppet master. I thought that for immigrants making their way in a new country -- they seemed a little weak willed and too easily led.

The story had a few twists and turns and little surprises but I think the men and the horses are what made me love this book the most. Gil and Rylan are very "swoon worthy" and I think I cried a little with the newborn foal with the bad leg.

The biggest thing for me with books is whether the characters feel like real people. The next is a satisfying ending. The last is a relationship (or in the case two of them) that progress  -- not love without any conversation or growth. Irish Meadows satisfies on all counts. This is an author I will seek out in the future.

This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am thankful, but it in no way influenced my review.

Dauntless by Dina Sleiman - Review

Back Cover Summary: Though once a baron's daughter, Lady Merry Ellison is willing to go to any lengths to protect the orphaned children of her former village. Dubbed "The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest," her band of followers soon become enemies of the throne when they hijack ill-gotten gold meant for the king. 

Timothy Grey, ninth child of the Baron of Greyham, longs to perform some feat so legendary that he will rise from obscurity and earn a title of his own. When the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest are spotted in Wyndeshire, where he serves as assistant to the local earl, he might have found his chance. But when he comes face-to-face with the leader of the thieves, will he choose fame or love?

My Take:

I'm a big fan of the time period and Robin Hood, so I was super excited to read this book even though I wasn't familiar with the author. 

The beginning grabbed and held my attention. I didn't want to put the book down. I loved the way she became the leader of the ghosts in order to protect and provide for the children. She was educating them academically and morally. She resented God because of what happened to her family -- though she didn't share those thoughts with the children and rob them of their faith. I really believed she could be a real person who made the decisions she did for the reasons the book provides.

Timothy is also very authentic. He tries to be smart - even strategic - about what to do and when. You can understand why as he struggles to stand apart in a large family. When faced with how his decisions can hurt others, he is willing to change and reevaluated his goals. 

There is an outstanding and interesting supporting cast of characters, especially little Wren and Allen.

The end was tense and took an unexpected twist.

If I had one tiny grumble, it would be that I would have loved a few more exciting raids peppered in the story. 

I got my copy from the publishers and although thankful, it did not alter or influence my review.

Renewing Your Mind - Review

Summary: Bestselling author Neil Anderson’s lifelong passion is to help people find freedom in Christ as they experience spiritual breakthroughs. Based on his classic book, The Daily Discipler, eight new studies are being published for believers who want to become rooted and built up in Christ so they can live in and become set apart for Christ . Renewing Your Mind is the fourth study in the series of eight “Victory in Christ” studies that promise to set a new standard for discipleship training. This six-session study shows the believer how to live under grace with a renewed mind. Anderson also shows the reader how to overcome anger, anxiety, depression and loss. 

My Take:

I am a big believer in good discipleship and helping to mentor and educate new believers. This is a Biblically sound study to help in that process.

This is both an approachable and ... easy to do study while also covering challenging and in-depth topics. Each topic/chapter is very short (usually 1 1/2 to 2 pages of study followed by another 1 1/2 to 2 pages of questions with a lot of space to write answers.

It is designed to be a daily study (each chapter starts with 5 daily assignments for Scripture readings). It could be used in a weekly Bible study with some alterations but the only additional information for teachers is some suggestions about how to run a class that is provided at the end (there isn't a leader's book with more content to flesh out the study further that I know of).

It is written in approachable and fairly simple language except for the quotes - which all seem to be from very early Christian writers (up to about 600 AD).

Since it is referred to so often, I wish the author had included the Steps to Freedom in Christ. I expected it to be listed in the Notes at the end of the book and it wasn't there - although we are led to where you can find it.

I want to thank Bethany House for providing my copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Cat That God Sent - Review

Summary: Jake Wilkerson, a disillusioned young pastor who is an expert at hiding his fears, takes on a new assignment at a small rural church in Coudersport, Pennsylvania. It's a far piece from anywhere and full of curiously odd and eccentric people, including Emma Grainger, a single woman and a veterinarian who dismisses all Christians as "those people," and Tassy, a young runaway with a secret. His first day on the job, however, Jake is adopted by Petey - a cat of unknown origins and breed - but of great perception. Petey believes that he is on a mission from God to redeem Jake and bring him and his quirky friends back to the truth.

My Take:

I am kind of torn on this book. I am a serious cat lover (I currently have 9 and I have had three others who died) so I was very interested in how a cat would be handled. 

I saw this picture shortly after I started reading the book (courtesy of Love Meow). This fits my idea of Petey more than the cover image. He was described as looking part wild, dignified, and this just fit my imagination so much better so I thought I would share it with you.

I don't think I have known a cat that would be so concerned with being a "good" cat. That phrase is used a lot and it sounded much more dog than cat. He also paints Petey as having a lot of dog-like traits rare to cats (like playing fetch). Having said that, I did like Petey a lot. 

I liked the message about how important it is to be genuine, but was somewhat insulted about the way the people were characterized as so narrow-minded and judgmental. I live in a small town, go to a small church... I know some people are like that but... it was hard to bond with the characters when I felt more like defending small town believers. 

So, I would give this 3.5 stars but rounded up for the message and the cat.

Cats & Plants?

If you're a cat lover and a plant lover, you probably have figured out the two don't always mix. The oldest two of my cats don't mess with plants but the other seven can't leave them alone. There are some strategies you can try though.

You can always try the old bait and switch. If you put out plants you don't mind them eating, they "may" leave other plants alone. There are a lot of kits for cat grass or catnip you can purchase and use to offer them their own greenery that is safe for them.

 This is the kind I use. It is called SmartCat Kitty's Garden. It sprouts thick and quickly and has four different kinds of grass seeds. Some of the cats definitely like one kind better than the others so the variety is great.

They sell refills and need only moderate light. I have tried several kits and another one may work better for you. They have ones that grow in fountains, as part of toys ... Lots of varieties. They are especially attractive to my rescues that lived outside.


Another option is to grow the plants in a safe place. I have an entryway where I keep herbs and plants. It is separated from the house and the outside by doors. There is a vent though and plenty of light through the outside glass door. I like to believe that because that air is circulated through the house that we still get some benefits from the plants. They are close enough to use easily and protected from harsh weather as well as ravenous kitties.

Another plant takes up the entire top of a tall narrow display cabinet. So far they haven't managed to get up there. My favorite solution is a new one though. It is kind of like a birdcage.

The sides are glass framed with wood. One side is a door with a latch and the top is metal. It's pretty, allows the plant to get sun, protects it from nibbling cats, and the top is like a lattice - with openings that allow air circulation. This one is large enough to hold a bigger plant - or even more than one.

I bought mine at a local hardware store but you could buy something similar almost anywhere. You could also use a birdcage or terrarium.

These kinds of ideas can help keep your plants safe, but it's also protection for your cats. There are plants that are poisonous. So check the variety before leaving them out for your cats.

Here is a site with a list of toxic plants and how to care for your cat if it ingests one of them:

Pet Care Tips - Poisonous Plants

Anyone have a tip about plants and cats to share?