Heartless

Heartless by Gail Carriger was an absolutely splendid read. This book actually dealt more with the past of both the Woolsley Pack and Kingair Pack than any of the other Parasol Protectorate novels. The plot line was full of twists and unexpected occurrences. Some of the twists I was pleased with and liked immensely, others I was not as fond of. However, despite that, I could not see the book ending any other way. The end of the book was unbelievable. I was completely spellbound and read the whole book in one day. There was less banter in this one than some of the other Parasol novels, but I enjoyed delving into the thinking of some of the less conspicuous characters and experiencing the travails of a VERY pregnant Alexia. I think Heartless had a very satisfying ending, so I can only wait until March to see what Gail Carriger will come up with for Timeless.

I received a free copy of Heartless from Hachette in exchange for an honest review.

Desiring God by John Piper, Revised Edition

Desiring God, Revised Edition, by John Piper is a wonderful book which explores the deep question of what does it mean to to glorify God and enjoy Him forever? In a society that lives for material pleasure and duty filled religion, John Piper turns many Christians beliefs on end and says that the pursuit of God should be pleasure filled. He shows that duty and delight are not two irreconcilable pursuits in the Christian walk, but that for Christians, the delight is the duty. Throughout the book John Piper discusses how finding maximum joy in God glorifies Him the most. Piper then takes this paradigm shattering view of God, joy, and pleasure, and he then discusses their implications in areas of life such as love, Scripture, prayer, money, marriage, missions, and suffering.

I found this book to be very thought provoking, and it drew me to the Scriptures and to really think deeply about very serious theological issues. I was extremely convicted by Piper's reasoning and thoughts about finding pleasure and joy in God. After reading this book, I feel closer in my relationship with God and more joyful in that relationship. This revised edition of Desiring God also has a study guide in the back for individual and group studies. I found the questions and exercises to be very helpful in delving deeper into each chapter as I read the book and the Bible.
I would highly recommend book to anyone who wants to enjoy God and grow closer to Him.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

The Ambition

The Ambition by Lee Strobel is a legal thriller revolving around a megachurch, a lawyer addicted to gambling, the mob, and a highly skeptical reporter.

Tom O'Sullivan is a lawyer who has fallen into the realm of gambling and debts. He ends up having a part in an illegal deal with a corrupt judge and the mob. As a precaution, he tapes the conversation. When that same judge ends up running for a high political office, Tom finds himself in a dangerous dilemma.

Meanwhile, Eric Snow, pastor of a megachurch, is running for the office. Gary Strider, a reporter for a local newspaper, is desperate for a story that will allow him to keep his job, so he investigates Eric and Eric's church.

All three of these men soon find themselves involved in a struggle which might cost them all. And to what end?

The Ambition is a great novel, filled with unexpected twists, conflicts, and connecting threads. Throughout the novel Lee Strobel weaves in his beliefs about God, suffering, miracles, and God's overall power and sovereignty. The Ambition was well written, I enjoyed it immensely. I cannot wait to read Lee Strobel's next novel.

Havah

Havah, by Tosca Lee is an unique retelling of the Creation story told from the perspective of Eve. The story relates Eve, or Havah's awakening, her joy in the garden and with the adam, her temptation and fall, her travails outside the garden with Adam, and more. Havah experiences pain, loss, and death, and the reader has no choice but to be swept away in the emotion of her experiences. The death of Havel (Abel) and the loss of Kavin (Cain) are heart wrenching, and the reader is left with an ache for the pain of adam and Havah during their loss and a deep sympathy for Kavain that one would never feel before.

I thought the novel was well written, full of beautiful words and phrases. The characters were well rounded and very sympathetic. It was easy to relate to their struggles. I thought some of Tosca Lee's imaginings of life after Creation were very good and helpful to understand such lost lives without God. I wished there had been more mention of God in the middle and end of the book, and I thought she might have been too easy in her portrayal of Cain and his actions, but I was pleased with the book and most of the author's choices for how to portray her characters made sense. Havah was a beautiful book, but it does leave one with a sense of sadness because all ends without the forgiveness of God's Son, Havah's seed.

A Vision of Lucy

A Vision of Lucy was written by Margaret Brownley and is the third and final novel in The Rocky Creek Romance Series.

Lucy Fairbanks has always dreamed of being a professional photographer and working for the Rocky Creek newspaper. Her biggest hope is that if she is able to get a real job as a photographer, her father will see that her photography is art just like her mother's paintings.

But Lucy cannot get away from disaster which follows her on every photoshoot. Stampedes, stolen stagecoaches, and even a fire.

When Lucy literally runs to David Wolf, the rumored wild man, she suddenly sees a way to make her dreams come true. She is convinced that if she could only get his picture, then her job with the newspaper would materialize. However, Lucy does not realize how she has fallen for the man and how hard this makes her task.

But Lucy's life is about to forever change. Secrets fill Rocky Creek, and she will not rest until she can get to the bottom of them -even if it means losing loved ones.

A Vision of Lucy is a lovely novels, full of fun and laughs. The plot line was good, and it was filled with both romance and some mystery. The characters were laughable and lovable, and they were created in a way that made them seem real to the reader. The quotes that began each chapter were sweet and funny. God and His nature were woven into the novel in such a way to make the reader feel that the book would not have been nearly as good without it.

This novel was a great read, and I enjoyed it immensely. When I finished the book, I was left with a sense of great satisfaction from both the story line and time well spent. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is in need of a light, wholesome read.

Spectyr

So on June 28th Spectyr by Philippa Ballantine comes out! I am really excited, and I cannot wait to read it. Spectyr is the second book in the Books of the Order series.

According to Philippa Ballantine's website, pjballantine.com, the story will go something like this:

Though one of the most powerful Deacons, Sorcha Faris has a tarnished reputation to overcome. She and her partner, Deacon Merrick Chambers, find themselves chasing down rumors of geists, but long for a return to real action. So they jump at the chance to escort a delegation sent to negotiate the terms of the Emperor’s engagement. Their destination: the exotic city of Orinthal.

But a string of murders has Orinthal on edge, and Sorcha and Merrick are asked to investigate. Meanwhile the Emperor’s sister has unwittingly released a cruel and vengeful goddess, one who it bent on destroying her enemies, including the geistlord who resides inside the shapeshifting rival to the throne—Sorcha’s lover….

Do not be afraid to check it out! :)