Cynthia
William Kent Kruger sure knows how to weave a story together and keep you wanting more. One reason I loved this story is because I had already gotten to know the main character, Cork, as an adult through reading all of Kent's Cork O'Connor series, so it was like coming home to a beloved character and seeing him as a child explained so much.
Another good story with a cast of quirky characters all coming together for the sake of a little spitfire named Grace. On a side note, I don't know why the part with Mr. Lafferty, other than the name for the cat and the 3 nice things he did for Grace, needed to happen the way it did, unnecessary in my opinion.
As I read this book, it felt like Annie Downs was just sitting on the couch chatting with me. Remember God was well written, but it was not what I expected. Silly me, I didn't realize it was going to be a memoir type of a book, probably would have known if I looked into it more carefully. Annie's personal experiences of answering her question, and premise of the book, “Is God Always Kind?” would be good for those who are doubting this, Me...I already know that He is, even now.
Take My Hand is based on the unbelievable, but true, story of Minnie and Mary Relf. This took place in the 70's, when things like this should not have been happening to any human being! I cannot express how angry the government's involvement in this makes me, the thinking that they know better, taking control of a woman's reproductive system becasue of race and/or class.
Makes me wonder what is happening now that we don't know about?
https://www.al.com/opinion/2022/06/50-years-ago-relf-sisters-were-sterilized-against-their-wishes-now-alabama-apologize-write-a-check.html
Reading Gwen Smith is like talking with a best friend in my living room. She is such talented writer (and speaker), witty, down to earth, and incredibly faithfilled!
One of many parts that stood out to me:
“We must search for the blessings in the blisterings as well as the bliss. When our eyes are open to seeing the beauty in our brokenness, blessings flow, even in the bloddiest of blisters. Because trials are trials with all their pain and ache, but hidden in the dark corner of every challenge is an intimate, intenesely personal invitation for us to meet face-to-face, heart to heart with our Comforter, our Healer, our Tear Catcher, our Provider, our Counselor, our Refuge, our Lord.”
What a beautiful story, one that integrates tears with lots of laughter! The author, Kimberly McMillan, has a gift of creating dialogue that is genuine and real. Her words glide along the pages and draw you into the lives of the characters and their homes in the big city of Chicago and a small Texas town. I loved every single character, from the “princess tornados” to even “Grumps,” but especially the main character Marni, who is thrown quite a curveball in her young life of 14 years. I love stories like Never Enough Time- stories that have flawed characters who are forced to make difficult life choices, stories that leave the characters needing redemption and forgiveness, and finally stories where the author gives it to them so graciously.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
I've been rereading this daily devotional since I received it in 2012. I highly recommend it, and how can you ignore it on your nightstand when it's titled “Jesus Calling?!”
“Thank Me for My peaceful Presence, regardless of your feelings. Whisper My name in loving tenderness. My Peace, which lives continually in your spirit, will gradually work its way through your entire being.”
Lots of plot twists, some hard to follow until certain things are revealed.
“There's no way to put a happy spin on a loss like ours, no way to pick the positives out of a steaming heap of shit.” This made me realize that it's okay when I feel like this. As much as I put my trust in God, “this” is still shit!!
