forgiveness and the ultimate love for The Triplets
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A fresh and unique voice that tells the story of how a woman reconciles who she was, who she is and who she wants to be. A story about redemption, forgiveness and the ultimate love for The Triplets.
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There is a reason that reality TV shows and blogs about multiples are so popular; all of us wonder how we would cope if we were suddenly faced with giving birth to and then parenting three or more babiies all at one time. Most of the time, its mothers who share their experiences with raising multiples, but with "Tales from the Trips," John Cave Osborne offers the seldom-heard father's eye view of life with triplets. This is a truly compelling memoir of making it through a high risk pregnancy, adjusting to new fatherhood and parenting triplets (plus one!). Highly recommended. You'll love it. And Osborne also blogs at [...]
4380800
This is a superb testimony of faith, courage, forgiveness and brotherly love.
118686
The Legacy is the fourth and final book in the Restoration Series.  The books in the series, including The Legacy could be read as stand alone novels, but I recommend reading the series as a whole in order to gain the full experience with this family.
Gary and Dan have done an excellent job of probing into the depths of family dynamics. In this final book, the authors give a modern day picture of the biblical Prodigal Son parable.  I have enjoyed getting to know the Anderson family and the siblings in particular.  The authors' gift of storytelling is given to readers through well thought out characters and expertly woven plots with believable scenerios and genuine emotion.  These stories have made me feel and have stuck with me long after the last pages have been turned.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book for the purpose of giving my honest review.
4139782
This is a feel good novel about miracles. Jack and Laurel's love--miracle. The forgiveness and compassion they have shown others--miracle. The transition the lives of their children will take--miracles. The Cooper's all too seemingly perfect marriage had been given the ultimate test. They survived the effects of this secret by prayer and their faith. Although this book does speak on Christian topics, the reader won't be turned off for that reason. It's an inspiring story of ultimate love and sacrifice. There is an epilogue at the end of the novel, so the reader isn't left wondering what happened next to the Coopers. You will have the entire story, and you will be left wanting to write your own Letters. After all, "History not recorded, is history lost." (I can't remember who said that, but it's true.) Can you imagine how Jack and Laurel's children came to treasure those letters?  Priceless.

Lingering Thoughts:
Wow, what power there is in one tiny, little word: forgiveness. It's something you always want to receive, but have such a difficult time giving to others. I don't know how Laural/Jack did it? It also hints at other emotional topics, such as infertility (which we all know is near and dear to my heart), drinking/driving, running from your past, new beginnings, abortion, and so on. This is a great book. It's completely safe for most adolescent age groups to read.
1837190
Illinois Weddings is a joy to read.  Following the lives of three generations of women in this three-in-one collection, Becky Melby and Cathy Wienke create characters that are both believable and likable.  The first story describes Angel, the youngest of the women.  Facing tremendous real-life challenges, she is an inspiration to those trying to find a Christian moral "compass" in today's society.  Jeanie is highlighted in the second book, and her courage facing difficult past life choices is heartbreaking.  The third book details Ruby's story, the feisty matriarch of the family who is trying to find her place in a changing world.  All three stories offer redemption and forgiveness, and highlight God's ultimate grace in all situations.  And, of course, there is plenty of tender romance peppered throughout the entire book.
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This book is a must read, especially for those with daughters. A real life story of a father's love for his daughter and the struggles that they face together as he turns his life around. This book is full of love, grace, and forgiveness. Brian "Head" Welch is a very down-to-earth, tell-it-like-it-is writer who reaches out to everyone. He proves that forgiveness is for everyone and that with God all things are possible.
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading Candice Curry's book of redemption and forgiveness. It took me a long time to read it because, while my biological father wasn't a drug addict or a con man, my relationship with him and my feelings toward him closely mirrored that of Curry and her father.

It was a story that made me feel all the feelings: I laughed, I cried, I had to put it down and collect my thoughts. Some parts were hard to read because they made me evaluate my own path to forgiveness and all the bumps in the road that I've come across.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has a strained relationship with a parent or a child or someone who has something BIG to forgive. Curry's ability to tell her story while explaining how God reached down and turned her heart toward forgiveness and redemption is next to none and will touch your heart.
1976059
Being able to forgive and forget isn't such an easy thing to do. I think this book shows that Thomas is a very strong man, in the sense that he's able to forgive and forget. There were many times while reading this book that I absolutely laughed out loud. The love that this family has is awesome, especially being that they are a blended family. This book was really hard to put down once you started reading it. I so enjoyed Those Children Are Ours, and I equally enjoyed Once and Future Wife!
217202
This book was well worth the read. Stephanie let the reader understand the good, bad and the ugly. I could not believe that Ruth and family were not aware of the scheme. Now I believe they were all victums, especially Stephanie and her children. I am so sorry about Mark. Bernie said in an interview recently that he is doing 'well' in prison. There is no pressure, and, he has a cult following of sorts behind close doors. Some punishment for the lives he shattered. In the end of this mess, Bernie just cared about Bernie. I wish Stephanie and hers the best life possible. I believe that her children are so blessed with Stephanie as their mother, and, the memory Stephanie will provide of their father.
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To be truthful, I have not been able to finish this book. I bought it as soon as it was published, but I haven't been able to finish. You see, Lauren was my friend and my grief wells up anew when I begin reading. She was all that the book portrays her to be and more. Through this book, you will see the force of an uncompromising love for Jesus Christ and how it will shape your life if you let Him.

Lauren's parents are also just as you see them in this book. Forgiveness is as strong as the strongest storm and Dave and Sherri McCain released a hurricane of compassion toward the gunman and his family.

Read this book and learn.
529763
Amy Knackstedt moved her family to Weaverly, Kansas, a community of both Mennonite and non-Mennonite residents. While trying to settle into their new home, she encounters her next-door neighbor, a seemingly grouchy man who warns her to keep her children at home and out of his orchard. What transpires afterward is a heartwarming story of loss, forgiveness and healing.

  Notes About the Characters in This Book:

Amy Knackstedt, deeply committed to the Christ and a member of an Old Mennonite Order, finds herself widowed with three children, one of whom is a special needs child. She depends on the Lord for each and every decision as she strives to bring her children up "in the way they should go."

Bekah Knackstedt, Amy's thirteen-year-old daughter is loyal to her faith and her family. However, she begins to question her faith after her dad's death and the family relocates.

Parker Knackstedt, Amy's eleven-year-old son who's suffered some brain injury due to an accident. He yearns to be accepted as he is and for a father figure in his life since his dad passed away. He finds a "best friend" in Mr. Roper, who's reluctant to relinquish his heart to these children.

Adrianna Knackstedt, or "Adri" is Amy's five-year-old daughter is the precocious and precious baby of the family, who comes up with the cutest comments and questions.

Tim Roper is the ex-Mennonite neighbor who wrestles with the loss of his wife and son five and a half years ago in an automobile accident for which he feels responsible. He's also begun to struggle with the decision he'd made many years prior to leave his family and the Mennonite faith. When the Knackstedts move next door, he grapples with surrendering his heart to the children--and their mother.

If I could come up with one descriptive word for Kim Vogel Sawyer's writing style, it is picturesque. I will be looking to read more of her books very soon.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of a review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
4770000
After her brother's violent death, Ashley Walters became a police officer, so that others would not suffer the same fate. Now ten years later, Ashley moved to Moneptezuma to escape the crushing control of her parents. Montezuma is in the midst of a revitalization effort that threatens to leave the local Menenite community at odds with the rest of the community. When accidents begin to happen, Ashley doesn't know if Brad, a young Menenite boy is to blame or someone else. Patrick, Brad's counselor meets Ashley and wonders if she is worth the risk of opening his heart. The forgiveness Ashley discovers that is a daily part of the Menenite life, shows Ashley that she tried to control her own life instead of giving control to God. As she learns to forgive, she learns to love and open herself to others.

Amy Wallace does a beautiful job weaving an interesting story, a beautiful setting, and well developed characters with a lesson on control and forgiveness. The strongly Christian theme touched my heart as well as entertained me. I would recommend this story to Christians of any age.

Received Galley from NetGalley.
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Review by Justin Michaels

Mark Twain was reported as saying once that: Its not what I don't understand in the Bible that bothers me: Its what I do understand.

One of those difficult issues for the humorist could well have been the principle of forgiveness, which is the salient theme of this book. Although most of us battle with forgiveness at one time or another, few will have the testimony of Stephen Owens. At 12 years old, Owens came home with his mother and brother only to find his beloved father badly bludgeoned on the floor gasping his last breaths. To make it worse he later discovers it was his mother who hired a hit man to do the dirty work. On top of that he also eventually learns that his father was cheating on his mother. A tall order of betrayal, parental loss, shame, and mistrust, to put it mildly. Yet, Owens presents his story in an emotionally straightforward manner confessing candidly that during the next 16 years he did not care if his mother lived or died. What finally moves the author along this monumental path of forgiving his mother is when he has his first child, and the incessant gentle voice of the Holy Spirit to be reconciled and truly forgive her from the heart. Owens also shows the ardent longing and sorrow of his mom alone on death row praying and hoping to see her children again. Tears filled my eyes more than once as Owens begins to make the steps toward his mom--first just to go see her in prison and then to actually utter the words: I love you and I forgive you to his mother face to face. The book takes a dramatic turn when the execution date is given and there is only one last appealto the governor of Tennessee. The take-away from the book is: If this man can forgive his mother for what she did with Gods help, we also should do likewise regardless of the offense. Owens does make the case that it would depend on the situation whether it is wise to be reconciled and reopen a relationship with the person that has offended us. For example, he writes that he forgives the man that killed his father but he does not think it is wise to have a relationship with him. He also cautions that in the case of sexual abuse reopening the relationship may not be the best route to take. This is definitely a heavy-duty story but it is handled in such an emotionally honest way it truly engages the reader without being overwhelming. The only thing I would have included is how Stephen begins a personal relationship with God. He states he went to a Christian school and was raised in a Christian home by his aunt and uncle but he does not explain how, despite his heavy past, he makes that personal decision to follow Jesus. It is incomprehensible that he would follow Christs teaching to forgive without first experiencing His love in a very personal and tangible way. I applaud Mr. Owens for his courage and deep Christian faith for being willing to relive the most horrendous events of his life to model for us one of the most essential elements of the Christian faith, which, unfortunately, may go unpracticed in many of our lives to the detriment of our Christian testimony and spiritual vitality.
665354
This second book of the trilogy is best read after The Doll in McCallaway's Store but can also stand alone as a great read.  The author continues his excellent characterizations and fascinating story of people who's lives are enriched by their associations with and genuine caring for each other.  It is an interesting example of a wise father's (even, step-father's) unconditional love for his new son.  The author uses his insightful poem about a boy who is told to cut the switch for what he thinks is yet another abuse already suffered from the hand of his real father.  Instead of punishment, he is taught (along with us) valuable life lessons.  There are many moral messages to be learned in this book that will indeed leave it's mark on your heart forever.
4683248
I thought this book was fantastic.  It was interesting, held my attention through out the book, found it hard to put the book down.  It is a real life event and the way the children and parents forgive the two people who were causing them so much grief, was amazing.  I do not know if I would have the grace and ability to forgive these two people.  I learned a lot about the fact that you have to keep reinforcing your commitment to forgiving the offenders.  I have had to forgive people in my life and it help me to realize that I do have to keep forgiving - that it is not a one time thing.  Life is a struggle and this book helped me understand that forgiving is an on going thing.  I would like to thank the author for helping me realize that it is a life long thing to keep forgiving when the memories return.  Would recommend it to everyone so that they understand why we have to forgive the people who hurt us deeply.  Does not mean we approve.  Forgiving is for oneself.
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Jenna Montgomery prayed for a miracle - that a new heart would become available for her daughter. Nora Peterson wanted this Christmas, the last she knew her whole family would be together before the twins went off to college, to be perfect. But a car accident shatters Nora's dream and life as she knows it. Meanwhile, Jenna is thanking God for providing a new heart and saving her daughter's life.

Lauraine Snelling writes with keen insight about these two women, both at turning points in their lives. Alternating between the stories, she shows us the private pain and joy of each family as they struggle to move forward.

I think many of us wonder why God lets tragedy touch families who love and worship Him. In One Perfect Day one mother's nightmare becomes another mother's answered prayer. As I read, I found myself thinking about how even the worst circumstances can be used for good by God. I highly recommend this book, particularly if you know of someone, or if you yourself, have struggled with the loss of a loved one. It takes a bare, honest look at moving through grief, while at the same time celebrating life and second chances.