They Say We are Infidels

"Everywhere militants were blowing up Christians, their churches, their shops. They threatened them with kidnapping. They promised to take their children. The message to these 'infidels' You have no place in Iraq. Pay a penalty to stay, leave, or be killed."Sweeping from Syria into Iraq, Islamic State fighters (ISIS) have been brutalizing and annihilating Christians. How? Why? Where did the terrorists come from, and what can be done to stop them? For more than a decade, journalist Mindy Belz has reported on the ground from the Middle East, giving her unparalleled access to the story no one wants to believe. In "They Say We Are Infidels," she brings the stark reality of this escalating genocide to light, tracking the stories of real-life Christians who refuse to abandon their faith--even in the face of losing everything, including their lives.As "Reading Lolita in Tehran" did for Iran and "We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families" did for Rwanda, "They Say We Are Infidels" shines light into the Middle East through the stories of everyday heroes and heroines who will not be silenced. A must-read for anyone seeking a firmer grasp on the complex dynamics at play in war-torn Iraq and Syria, "They Say We Are Infidels" is the eye-opening and revelatory testimony of a journalist who heads into a war zone--and is forever changed by the people she encounters there.

My thoughts: This book is an excellent resource that shows the recent history of Christians in the Middle East and how ISIS has targeted them with the Arabic N (for Nazarene or to show they are a believer in Jesus Christ) to attack. While at times, it was a lot of information, I really appreciated Belz writing about her personal experiences to open the eyes of Christians around the world to the problem of ISIS and how it has evolved over the years. This is an important book to help us focus our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Whether you are into politics or not, this is an excellent resource to read.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

Together at the Table

Three months ago, Juliette D’Alisa’s world changed.

In a bittersweet series of events, her mother’s health took a turn for the worse. Juliette and her brother opened their restaurant together to rave reviews, but her romance with Memphis immunologist Neil McLaren ended in anger and tears.

As autumn sweeps into the Pacific Northwest, Juliette feels that she’s finally on the cusp of equilibrium. The restaurant continues to thrive, and her family is closer than ever. She and sous-chef Adrien are seeing each other, both in and out of the kitchen. Just when she thinks her world might stop spinning, a trip to the waterfront lands a familiar face into her path.

Rather than dwell on her personal life, Juliette throws herself into work and research. After reading her grandmother’s letters from war-torn Paris, she still wants to know the full story – and she’ll travel across countries and oceans to find it.

But even Juliette can’t outrun the man who stole her heart. As she finally uncovers the truth about her family history, what will it mean for her own chances at lasting love?

My thoughts: I was thrilled to receive this book in the mail, since I fell in love with the previous two! I can relate to Juliette and her family, with working in the food industry together. I love that the series has so much going on, bringing to life not only the heroine, but the rest of her family as well.;)
This book was bittersweet, since it marks the conclusion of the series. That said, it did a wonderful job of drawing the series to a close! I love all the recipes included in the book, and wish I could just be adopted into the family.;)
I look forward to reading Hillary's next novel!
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

The Inheritance

The death of the clan patriarch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whale's Reef into turmoil. Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch's heir to be his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that MacGregor left no will, David's grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island's land. And while Hardy doesn't enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate's assets while the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial limbo. The future of the island--and its traditional way of life--hangs in the balance.

Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .

Past and present collide in master storyteller Phillips's dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace, and of the dreams of men and women everywhere.

My thoughts: Over all, I liked the rich details and scenery in this story. I loved the feeling of visiting Scotland and getting to know more of the history and how the times have affected the Shetlands. While I enjoyed the characters, the story does seem to drag a bit at times, so I had a hard time getting into the story. I still found it a lovely read, just one you have to be prepared to savor and take at a slower pace.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

At Home in the Father's House

If you believe that you will never be good enough to receive the love of God, He has a message for you, "You are Loved". If you are doing everything right and still struggling to feel closer to God, He has a message for you, "You are Loved".
Just like the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son, often we feel like our best is not good enough for the Father's love. John Sheasby struggled for years with that feeling... until he dug deep into the truth of the story. The new understanding of the gift of the father's inheritance changed his life as this book will change yours.

My thoughts: I appreciated this book and how it melds the story of the prodigal son and the authors personal experiences, along with those of others, to show how God loves us and longs to have a relationship with us as a Father, not a master. While the message is a fairly simple one, it is also one that we have a hard time grasping, since we can look at God as a Father figure through the glasses of how our earthly father is.While I have been blessed with wonderful parents, they weren't perfect. I thought it was interesting that he showed how generations of defining God through our experiences can change how we view him.
This is a wonderful book about being a child of God!
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

The Mother Letters

After his wife Amber had given birth to three boys in three years, Seth Haines saw that she needed encouragement in the day-to-day drama and details of motherhood. Secretly collecting nearly six hundred wise, honest, and sometimes hilarious letters from other mothers across the world, Seth compiled these "mother letters" as a gift for her. Amber and Seth have chosen the best of those letters--including letters from some of the most influential writers and bloggers online today--to include in a beautiful book perfect for the mother in your life.
Each mother-to-mother letter offers encouragement, advice, and vulnerable honesty about the struggles and joys of motherhood. These letters show that no matter how many times mothers feel like they've failed, they are still doing their greatest work. So for the mom who thinks she's the only one out there who just can't find time for a shower, "Mother Letters" shows her that she's part of a grand and diverse group of strong women who are saying to her, "Me too. But we can do this."

My thoughts: Mothering. One of the hardest, most rewarding jobs there is! Each child is so different, and just when I think I have something figured out, we hit a new stage or a new issue comes up. It's so easy to focus on the faults in oneself, so I found this book to be incredibly encouraging! It is just so nice to read some of the letters and realize that I am not alone! I think the one that touched me the most was about having grace with myself, though all the letters are amazing and wonderful reminders to slow down and remember that God made me the mother of my children for a reason.
With mother's day around the corner, I highly recommend giving this book as a gift to the mothers (especially mothers who still have children at home)in your life.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Take Ten: bookworm delights

While I know that this topic is suppose to be more about the experiences that delight a bookworm, I may wind up veering into some of the book related merchandise that I just find delightful.;) I'm not trying to sell anything, I guess that is just where my mind went when I read the topic for this week.;)

1. Jewelry with a favorite bookish quote on it. I've been eyeing this one for a while now.;) One of my very favoritest necklaces is one that has part of The Road Not Taken poem on it that I found in a shop that carried handmade items.


2. Really, just beautiful, artistic favorite quotes in general. I have a library in my home and have had such fun framing quotes (both those I have bought and those found as free printables)to put on the walls.
Here is a favorite quote. The one I have is a bit different though.


3. A good cup of tea and a book on a rainy day. My husband laughs at me for my tea addiction, but I can't seem to give it up! ;)


4. The smell of books. They can be old books, new books, I just like the smell of them!


5. Discovering a new bookstore. Granted, I prefer to buy my books used, since I read way to much to buy all new. But, I still love to discover new (to me) bookstores!

6. Places like this. Honestly, I want to live in a house that looks like a book shelf!:)


7. Window seats and book nooks. I could get stuck on Pinterest for hours just drooling over the options and ideas! Part of the reason I wanted to buy our old house was because of a window seat in the music room. Now, it still is a sad looking window seat, but I have plans for it.;)


8. Places like The Rabbit Hole

9. Having a friend who reads a lot of the same books as you, whose opinion you can trust. Really, just a friend who you can be a total book nerd with and not scare them off!

10. A nifty, book themed journal. I believe I have established the fact that I love quotes and can't resist something useful with a favorite quote on it.;)

The Buckskin Trail

A miracle saved Kelzi’s life when she was younger. Now it’s her turn to save others. Discovering the truth about her parents’ deaths places Kelzi on a dangerous path, one where she must avenge those who have died and protect the land of her Cherokee people—at all costs. Old traditions battle against modern values in this thrilling mystery!

My thoughts: I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book up, since I hadn't read any of Joann's other titles. I found the story to be intriguing from the get go! When Kelzi loses her parents at a young age, barely surviving herself, the event triggers a chain of miraculous events. As the mystery behind her parents death and an old piece of buckskin unravel, Kelzi is taken on a unique adventure.
I found this story interesting, since it has a lot of different things going for it and a lot going on. The mystery is more of a legal one, which kind of surprised me, but it was still interesting.
I look forward to reading more books by Joann!
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.