The Heir

"The Heir" by Paul Robertson

This book is about a man who inherits his father's significant wealth and business empire. It was the last thing he ever expected or wanted. What he gained might cost him his life and he had just one question, why? He is fighting not only for his life but also for his soul. I loved this book! Among the who-done-it and drama there was humor and wit. It was funny and thought provoking. It begs the question why any of us are here and what is our purpose. I think we all ask that question from time to time and the only real answer lies in God.

Burn

"Burn" by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy

Janeal has long felt trapped in her father's Gypsy culture. Then one night a powerful man promises her the life she longs for-if she will help recover a vast sum of money tied to her father. When the plan implodes the gypsy settlement is attacked and burned to the ground. During the blaze, Janeal is faced with a staggering choice. The impact of that moment changes her forever. (That was taken from the back of the book as I couldn't say it any better.) This book takes many twists and turns and just when you think you have it figured out another twist is thrown in. I honestly didn't see what this book had coming. It is expertly written. I love a book I can't predict, or better yet, think I can but realize I had it all wrong, and this book fits the bill. Our choices have greater impact then we think and reach many more people than we ever imagined.

Kiss

"Kiss" by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy

This is about a woman who wakes up in a hospital and can't remember the last 6 months. She was in an accident that she is being told she is at fault for and it has left her beloved brother brain damaged. She doesn't know whom she can trust and she starts to remember things she has never known. She is afraid for her life but doesn't know why. I found this book to be really fascinating. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I am not a big thriller reader. "Your history is no less important to your survival than your ability to breathe. In the end, you can only determine whether to saturate your memories with pain or with perspective." People often say I wish I could forget that or forget what happened to me. But we never really can and those things are the things that make us who we are. It is just a matter of what we do with those memories, remember the pain or put them in perspective. "My past was not something God wanted to amputate. He wanted to cast a new light on it so that my life could have new meaning. He wanted to restore it so that it would become useful to Him and to others." Our past is a part of us and we need to let God use it and use it for His glory. That is the only way to make the past bearable. "You choose pain-you choose to fight it, deny it, bury it-then yes, the choice is always hard. But you choose perspective-embrace your history, give it credit for the better person it can make you, scars and all-the choice gets easier every time."

Edge of Eternity

"Edge of Eternity" by Randy Alcorn

I wasn't to sure about this book and it took me about 5 chapters to really get into it but then I was fascinated. This book is about a man who gets a glimpse into the afterlife while he is still alive and then gets a second chance at life. It was a bit too much fantasy at first for me but then I realized that it was the authors take on what heaven would be like and I began to appreciate his analogies. "Was death a comma or a period-a pause in our existence or the end?" "There is no such thing as a private moment. The whole cosmos is our audience for everything we do in the dark" This quote resonated with me. It is scary but true. We think that we do things in private or secretly but God is always watching and everything we do has consequences, good or bad, in the next world. "You may or may not separate yourself from your possessions now, but you will surely be separated from them later. Do it now and you'll be free to serve the King." We cannot wholly serve God when we serve our possessions, drop them and serve with out burden. The author used the analogy of a tapestry to how we see our lives. While we are here on earth we see our lives like the back of the tapestry, with knots, frayed edges and lumps. When we get to heaven we are able to look at our lives from the top of the tapestry. We see the design and the beauty. "A short period of difficulty is a small price to pay for a clearer view of your King." If difficulty allows me to see Jesus more clearly than I don't want to complain about difficulties in my life again (although I know I most certainly will).

Blink of an Eye

"Blink of an Eye" by Ted Dekker

This book is about a Saudi princess whose father has arranged a marriage for political gain, yet she is secretly in love to another. She finds herself escaping to California and on the run with a man she has never met, a genius named Seth. A massive manhunt closes in on them and their futures are in the balance. This was a fascinating story filled with drama, love and page turning thrills. another book I couldn't put down. The main point of this story is that love changes everything, everything we do, say and live for. The book is also being made into a movie that I am looking forward to seeing. I also appreciate the insight into Middle Eastern culture and it prompted me to look at how I see those who live there and all that is being fought for. Does love change they way I see what is happening there and the people that live there? It should and after reading this book it does.

Above The Line Series

"Take One"; "Take Two"; Take Three" and "Take Four" by Karen Kingsbury

I have really enjoyed reading numerous Karen Kingsbury books and I sped through this series. She really has a way of writing about characters that makes you think you know them and she also writes about stories that happen today, they are so relevant. This series is about two men who are filmmakers and decide to make movies that make a difference. In the midst of making this movie they find out that the risk may be too great. What are they willing to sacrifice? How much will they trust? Is this even from God? So many lives are intertwined in this series and you will just want to keep reading till you finish the series. "Ministry of any kind came at a price, and trials were part of the cost." What a poignant statement, ministry does come at a price and few are willing to pay it. "Never enough time to love the way you want to love." I don't want to regret at the end of my life that I didn't love enough. Some days are harder but I want to love with all I've got. "The key to life isn't looking for a safe sameness with every passing season. It's learning to enjoy the ride, whatever the next turn in the road might bring. Believing that God's driving, and He'll get us home safely-however bumpy the trip." I would appreciate a less bumpy ride but I do have to trust God knows what He is doing, no matter how bumpy. "Their deaths had come too early, but the number of days in their lives hadn't mattered nearly as much as the life in their days." There have been a few deaths in my life this last year but I will remember the life in their days more than anything. "People had a way of ruining God for those who really needed Him. But that wasn't God's fault." Lots of people turn away from God because of what another believer said or did. No of us want to be stumbling blocks, but all of us stumble. I pray that others will see Jesus despite my stumbling.

Safe Haven

"Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks

My favorite author, great book, not his best, but great any way. Honestly I haven't read one of his books that I thought was bad, I don't think he could write a bad one if he tried. This book is about a women named Katie who moves into town with secrets regarding a mysterious past. She doesn't want to form any personal ties and keeps to herself until a caring neighbor and a store owner make her see the need for friends. She must choose, life alone or the risk of a relationship. This book is a little different from Nicholas' others as it has a bit of mystery to it. A few favorite quotes: "I'm not sure anyone's life turns out exactly the way they imagine. All we can do is to try to make the best of it. Even when it seems impossible." Good words, I know my life has sometimes taken turns I didn't expect but all that I can do is ask God to help make the best of it. "Maybe I don't want to be defined by what I do. Maybe I'd like to be defined by what I am." We live in a world where we are being defined by the jobs that we do. God doesn't define us by what we do but by who we are and that to me is reassuring since I can't ever seem to do a job to perfection!