BOOK REVIEW: Eden Hill

Can I even say this loud enough? EDEN HILL NEEDS TO BE A SERIES! 

I loved this book. Told in a down to earth voice, with simple, old fashioned, believable characters, Eden Hill by Bill Higgs brings to life a very small town. Issues of big-city business and civil rights arise in the town, but the reader sees them through the eyes of those who, without the outside influence of corporate America and sit-ins, don't really understand quite what they are. Therefore, they are handled as personal issues rather than social ones. The conflicts between different characters highlight our human tendency to build ourselves up rather than serve each other's best interests, but the mediation of the a wise pastor and the power of the Holy Spirit bring resolution. 

I did not want to leave this town when the book was over. In a world such as ours, with so many loud and complicated conflicts swirling around us, it is good to be reminded that faith and family are really the basic foundations for whatever storms rage. Then, and now. 

I received this book for free from Tyndale Publishing Company in exchange for a fair review. 

To learn more about the author, go here.

BOOK REVIEW: Miriam

I've never quite understood Miriam, though I've read the Bible many times. To me she seemed like a woman who had good intentions, but got sideswiped by jealousy a few times. As do we all. After all, it must have been hard to live in Moses' shadow.

I looked eagerly to the opportunity to delve into a (granted, fictionalized) historical account of her life through Miriam, by well-known Christian author Mesu Andrews. I did indeed find myself looking at the time of the plaques in Egypt (the book ends with the deliverance at the Red Sea) through her eyes, and the book made a believable case for her mixed feelings about her brother. I enjoyed also seeing the addition of Hoshea (Joshua) to the story; also a believable character who, I realized, surely was close to Moses' family prior to the Exodus. And I'm thankful to Andrews for painting no one in the story as blameless--including Aaron, Moses and Miriam's brother. Even then, ministry families had their rough spots!

The story is delightful and very rich with behind-the-scenes-this-could-have-been-what-happened events. The only thing I had a difficult time with was that the events seemed drawn out more slowly than necessary. I found myself, especially near the end, wanting the plot to move more quickly. Minor details, such as what the dog was doing in every scene, made me feel like I was trudging a bit through the story. Other readers might not have this experience; it may have just been personal for me.

However, I feel like I understand better who Miriam could have been, and how she got to her insubordinate behaviors later on. Although she resolved her gentle, precious relationship with Yahweh during the book, the events in the wilderness would surely try everyone's humanity!

I received this book free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for a fair review. To learn more about the author, go here.

BOOK REVIEW: Having a Martha Home the Mary Way

Normally when I read a book for review purposes, I try to get the review done within 30 days. It's just fair. But this book, Having a Martha Home the Mary Way, I needed to get under my skin. I needed a big life change in the way I keep my house. So, I lived the book, completing each day's written and practical tasks; but (embarrassed face) it took me way more than 31 days. It actually took me (embarrassed face) about three months.

Now, be kind to me. First of all, my house isn't a hoarder's paradise or a clutterer's camp. My kitchen, bathroom, and living room are generally picked up. My kids each have daily chores, the laundry basket rarely overflows, and bedding gets changed on a regular basis. I've just found it hard to get to the beyond-the-superficial stuff because of those darn kids and our busy schedules. And, sometimes, laziness. Laziness is real when you're tired.

Second, we not only were finishing up a tough homeschool year, we were also in the midst of wedding planning (our second in 10 months), so there were days at a stretch when I didn't have time to sit down and read, journal, and clean. But that's just the point of the book: life happens, so give yourself a break and live it. To paraphrase Jesus, the laundry you will always have with you; weddings you will not.

I think I may adore Sarah Mae, because she made me WANT to make changes in my home. She helped me create a vision for what I want my home to look like and figure out day by day (or, day by every few days) simple, progressive ways to get there. After going through this book and making its principles my new reality, my house is shaping up and it's just onward from here. Best of all, the wedding's over (it was beautiful, thanks for asking), school is out, and the household schedule settled.

If you would like to know more about Sarah Mae, go here.

I received this book free of charge from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for a fair (if tardy) review.