Thursday, December 18, 2014

Book Review: 25 Days of Christmas Devotional by Joseph Ritter

Book Title: 25 Days of Christmas

Author: Joseph Ritter, Jr.

Publish Date: March 15, 2012

Genre: Christian Devotional












About the Book (from Goodreads):  

In this short devotional book, the author turns the traditional focus of the Protestant season of advent from Christ’s birth into the advent of His Second Coming. During this 25 day journey from December 1st to December 25th, see how the ordinary trappings of Christmas are turned into moving examples of Christ at work in our world. The author reminds us that even the smallest gift can yield big results for Christ, ... that the darkest, coldest and most difficult experiences of our lives can be remembered as times when Christ was most at work, ... and that there is reason for the broken-hearted and down-trodden to celebrate Christmas. You’ll even be introduced to an entirely new way of experiencing the traditional Christmas Eve candle light service, one that may change the way you see the world.


Why I Read this Book: I was given a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  This in no way influenced my review.
 

Review



This Christmas devotional is filled with reminders of why we should celebrate Christmas: Christ's love for us and the anticipation of His second coming. This book is great for a Christmas devotional, but it would also be great for anytime throughout the year.

This devotional inspired me to dig deeper into the Bible and learn more about my Lord and Savior. I encourage you to pick up this inspirational devotional for yourself or others.
 

Final Statements



Recommended Reading Age: Any


Overall Rating: 4/5

Monday, December 15, 2014

Book Tour: My Beauty for Your Ashes by Traci Wooden-Carlisle



 
Book Title:  My Beauty For Your Ashes
Paperback: 454 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (June 21, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1503198030
ISBN-13: 978-1503198036
Genre: Christian Fiction Romance

About The Author
Traci Wooden-Carlisle began writing poetry and short stories as soon as she was able to form words on paper. She used that as a way to creating worlds, as well as, to communicate with God. A native of Los Angeles, California, she grew up attending United Methodist Church under the leadership of a pastor whose heart was for youth. Once she finished college at Humboldt State University she found herself at a loss. She felt caught in the transition between childhood and adulthood. She received a great deal of her answers through a Tuesday night Bible Study. As she continued to attend classes, the Bible became real to her and the scriptures were more than just words on a page. They came to life and she was able to identify with the teachings. She was filled with the Holy Spirit one November evening in 1995 and soon found that when she wrote to God, the Holy Spirit would respond; at times in the form of poetry and other times in conversation. She was amazed, awestruck, and humbled to know that He had not only been listening, but also wished to have a more intimate relationship with her. As she continued to write she joined a smaller church closer to her home in the San Fernando Valley and became an intercessory prayer, volunteered at the juvenile hall in the area, participated in door-to-door evangelism and shared her first love of dance by creating a praise dance team. She surrounded herself with saints and volunteered her services as a graphic artist. Through the early-morning prayer, all night Friday prayer and 3-day shut-ins she started on her journey toward her most desired gift, an intimate relationship with God.
Today, Mrs. Wooden Carlisle lives in San Diego with her husband, David Carlisle. She serves as a church Office Manager, teaches fitness classes, continues to praise the Lord through dance, and is currently writing her third book in this Christian-fiction series.

About The Book
Though they hail from backgrounds that are worlds apart, it only takes one fateful accident to rearrange their priorities and set them on roads that intersect, forcing them to acknowledge the relationships they can’t do without.
Elder Paige Morganson has worked hard to overcome the anger, hate and abuse of her past. With God’s help she believes healing and wholeness is within her grasp when she is propelled into a world of secrets and lies that threaten to unravel the very thread of hope she’s clung to in her struggle for peace.

Mason Jenson is a self-made man who has been able to create his own fortune and build a home life with his wife and child void of God’s help…so he thinks, but as the world he knows balances precariously on the edge of destruction, who will he turn to?

Elder Brandon Tatum’s, new in town, has prided himself on not making a move until he’s heard God, but even as he accepts his new position in ministry, he is faced with decisions of the heart; a whole new territory for him.
Victoria Branchett has ruthlessly survived the death of her only daughter by fierce determination, but is the strength she has relied on enough to see her through a failing marriage and an ailing grandchild?
This novel merges colorful characters facing one untimely circumstance after another, and mixes in a serious spin on how one views God, both inside and outside of His will. Of course, this is just the beginning. More people emerge from behind the scenes; some to help and others, to hurt. With everything happening simultaneously, one would almost question if God is able to truly fix and heal everything, and the readers will see just how far each person's faith (or lack thereof) will carry them. As they sift through the debris of past dreams and hopes left by the wayside, they are offered a lifeline and given an opportunity to receive God’s Beauty for their ashes.



Excerpt 1 Mason and Vivian

“Hi Daddy!” The squeal, melting his heart, he bent under the rope and scooped up his daughter’s thin, gangly frame in a fierce hug. He took in her dusty smell as he buried his face in her curls. When he felt her arms slacken a little, he began to release her, only to have her cling harder to him as he walked to the edge of the carpeted area.

He let her down when they got to the edge of the seating area of her arrival gate. Vivian talked nonstop about her flight and how she met the pilot before boarding. She had made friends with one of the flight attendants, who kept her full of sprite throughout the plane ride. After retrieving her baggage, they walked to the airport parking lot. It wasn’t until he placed the key in the ignition that she took a deep breath, allowing him to get in a question or two.

“So…? Tell me how you liked Oklahoma? How was Grandma? Did you have fun with your cousin Asha?” It wasn’t as if he didn’t already know most of the answers; he just liked seeing the excitement on her face when she talked about his late wife’s family.

Vivian shook her head, allowing her curls to move slightly, and giggled. “Daddy, you know everything. You talked to me every day and I sent you pictures…it was like you were there. Gram said if it were 15 years ago, you wouldn’t have let me go ‘cause they didn’t have cell phones with cameras, and you couldn’t go more than 24 hours without makin’ sure I was alright.” He looked away from the road and into her smiling face, the expression so very much akin to his wife’s. He shrugged and pulled his attention back to the road that would take them to Stevenson Expressway.

“I know, but you weren’t able to tell me everything. What was your favorite part?”

“Mmmm…let me think.”

As he pulled up to the red light, he glanced over to watch her drum her fingertips along her chin, posing as if in deep thought. He almost laughed.

She cocked her head to the side, looking at him out of the corner of her eye.

“Trisha, the cat Gram let me keep in the barn, had kittens. That…”

There was a terrible screeching sound, causing him to look in the rear-view mirror. He caught sight of a medium-size, sky-blue SUV racing towards them. He leaned over his daughter as much as he could in that second, trying to shield her from the dashboard and the crushing blow.

The impact was fierce, propelling their SUV into the intersection. Mason’s head hit the dashboard, sending off a ringing in his ears. He didn’t know what was louder: the sound of metal crumbling and giving way, or his heartbeat. He could feel Viv’s body rock forward, and tightened his hold. Then everything began to slow. He felt her breath against his neck – it was quick and erratic.

Then the car slowed and came to a stop; not until then did he open his eyes. He raised his head, peering into his daughter’s eyes, examining her face for any sign of pain.

“Are you alright?” He tried to make his voice sound calm and controlled. She nodded. He pulled back, straightening his frame while trying to get a better look at her. He took a deep breath, sighing in relief at the fact that the crash wasn’t worse. He gave Viv a wry smile, and then turned just in time to see a brown sedan come through the light at full speed towards them. Everything went black.






Social Links
Email: tawcarlisle@gmail.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TraciWoodenCarlisle
Buy Links
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1AEY0RM
Tour Hosted by: Write Now Literary www.wnlbooktours.com
Follow The Tour:  http://wnlbooktours.com/?p=4517