A True Inspiring Life!

When I first got Brenda Warner's book "One Call Away", I thought, "Oh this book will probably be a good read." I must tell you that is a true understatement. I could not turn the pages fast enough.
I know that each of us have a story to tell, God has called us to use each of our hurts and heartaches and even our joys to encourage others as they walk this journey called life. This is exactly what Brenda has done in this book.
I was so moved by her openness and honesty as she shared her story of her first marriage and the ups and downs and even as it led to the unfortunate disability of her son Zack. I was so impressed with the strength that Brenda showed to fight for her child to find out all the information that she could as he was growing up and not settle for what the doctor's would tell her. We do have to be advocates for our children, no one else will do it!
Having been through divorce and also the pains of adultrey, I could share some of the feelings of betrayal that Brenda described in her book. It brings to surface so many insecurities and lack of self confidence.
It was great that she had such an incredible support system, as did I.
Brenda goes on to tell how she met her second husband, Kurt Warner, who at that time was just starting to play football in college. Their story is very sweet and romantic. It was not without it's own trials, but as soon as they started giving everything over to the One who created everything, things definitely started going smoother.
Brenda was so great about sharing how life as a football wife was tough for her, she was an outspoken lady and it often made her very unpopular with the media and the coaches of her husband's teams.
I won't go into too much detail about the story, but I will say the two of them have huge hearts. As much money as they made, they loved to share and help out as much people as they could, and they still do that today.
The story that touched my heart the most was the one of Daniel. Brenda is part of a ministry where she goes to hospitals and rocks little babies that are abandoned and left to die. There was one that was pretty much brain dead as he was "shaken" by his birth father but the mother did not want him to be taken off life support because that would mean the father would go to prison for murder.(unbelievable!) Daniel was finally getting worse and was sent to a different hospital as he was on his last days. One night Brenda had a real strong feeling that she was to "go rock Daniel". She told Kurt about this and he said "GO!" long story short, Brenda listened to the voice of God and went to spend that time with Daniel holding him, rocking him, kissing him, singing to him, speaking to him softly, and telling him that he could let go and go home to Jesus, the One that loved him and created him. He died that night, but not alone....Brenda was holding him, but had she not listened, he would have died alone. WOW!!! I cried so hard when I read that part!
This book was amazing, Brenda is an amazing woman with such a heart for God. Her and Kurt both have such a great ministry that I admire! I loved this book and I hope someday to be able to share my story just like they did! I definitely recommend this book! You will be inspired!

The First Gardener-by Denise Hildreth Jones

When I got the opportunity to review this book from Tyndale House, I did not hesitate. I have heard such wonderful things about this author and I have had several of her other books on my wish TBR list as well. Including her Savannah series.

Jeremiah Williams has been taking care of the gardens at the Tennessee governors mansion for the past 25 years. He has cared and prayed for its residents as well. There is something special though about the current family. Jeremiah wonders if all the hurt and unjust treatment he's gone through in life have been so that he could be with this family at this specific time.

Governor Gray London and his wife Mackenzie, struggled with infertility and miscarriages for years. Now it seems that all their dreams have come true. Their miracle baby, Maddie, is heading off to kindergarten, and Gray is making a real difference as governor.

When tragedy strikes again and again, the London's are thrust into circumstances they don't know if they can survive, and they're not sure they even want to.

What is God doing in their life? Is he really even there? How could he love them and let these kinds of things happen?

It's a real story of life . . . and death, forgiveness,faith, depression and broken dreams.

One of my favorite quotes from Jeremiah was when he said in his southern accent " . . . Maybe this what the last thirty years been for. Maybe this why I gone through ever'thing I gone through, see ever'thing I see, hear ever'thing I hear. `Cause this family need me. 'Cause there be some way I can make a difference, even if it's only prayin' for an ornery ol' woman..."

This story is packed with emotion. The characters literally leap off the pages and into your heart. You will definitely need a box of kleenex as you prepare to read the book.
I definitley recommend the book, but it is not an easy, lighthearted read. Although it is not one you will forget anytime soon!
I look forward to reading more of Denise's books. She is a very gifted author who knows how to tell a story.
I want to thank Tyndale for trusting me with a copy of this book to give my honest review to post on my blog and share with others.

Enter to win "The Chair" by James L. Rubart

Hey Everyone-head on over to Nora's blog at http://psalm516.blogspot.com/2011/10/chair-giveaway-james-l-rubart-interview.html and you can enter to win a copy of James L. Rubart's book "The Chair". He also wrote a great book called "Rooms", another MUST READ!
For those of you who don't know, Nora did an interview awhile back with Lucie and I for the Chick Lit Book Club for "Christian Women Online Magazine". She is amazing and so talented.
I hope you will head over and check out her blog and enter the contest!
Happy Reading~ Deborah

Sometimes Being Bold Pays Off!

So I was on Twitter awhile back and saw that an author shared about a book he had written. I took a bold step and tweeted to him. I said, "I blog about books and I am in a book club and if you would send me a copy of your book I would love to write a review and post it for you on my blog and on Amazon for you, along with discussing it at our next Book Club meeting." I waited thinking this would be a long shot, put it didn't take long for the author Michael Barnett to contact me to let me know he was sending me a copy of his book "Eden Fading" to review.
The story is set in 1961 the main character is a little boy named Danny, who at this time is only three years old. The story is told from the view of what I perceive to be as guardian angels who are watching over the little boys. Danny has two younger brothers named Wayne and Eddie. The boys like to play together and then Danny likes to "go overboard" with his imagination and rough housing, to the extent that you don't know where the lines of good and evil are anymore. He definitely has some spiritual battles going on, even at three years old. Danny has become the king manipulator and also great at getting his younger brother Wayne to join in on his plans. It is either join him or fall victim to his plans.
Mom and Dad have gotten to even "fear" their own boys, and at one point in the book go to the extreme of strapping the boys to their beds at night so they don't sneak out to create more trouble.
As the story progresses and the boys get older, so does the extent of their creativity and dangerous mischief. Their brother Eddie is now joining in on the fighting and trouble and they now have another little brother name Lee who has fallen victim to their antics. Some are laugh out loud funny, some are shocking that I wondered how any child could survive, except Guardian Angels watching over them.

The story kept my attention, I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Hoping nothing "horrible" was going to happen. I have a favorite part at the end of the book a moment between Danny and his mother. It made me smile, warmed my heart.I have one son, and two daughters. My son was totally accident prone, and I know he must have had a couple Guardian Angels watching over him to survive some of the things he did. It makes me laugh to think about it now, but I was not laughing back then.
I think Danny, Wayne, Eddie and Lee's mom must have been an incredible woman, she went through so much with those boys! That woman deserved an award!

Seriously, I enjoyed this book. It was different than I thought it was going to be, but it was real and well written! I recommend it and I hope the author had success with it. I appreciate the trust that was given to me in sending me a copy and in letting me write a review!