"The Widow of Saunders Creek" by Tracey Bateman

Corrie Saunders is grieving her husband, Jarrod- a soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice. After half a year, she packs up everything she owns to move to his childhood home, desperate to feel close to him and not ready to give up on his memory yet. She may just get what she wanted- things are moving on their own due to a notable presence in the house.

Jarrod’s cousin Eli helps Corrie with the renovations of the house and warns her against the spiritual dabbling of some of his family members who might be trying to convince Corrie that Jarrod’s spirit is searching for her in the house. Corrie, who misses her husband deeply, may just believe that the spirit that lives in her house is Jarrod.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Stories filled with demonic presences can be hokey, but this wasn’t one of them. Corrie has to work through the process of grief while fighting her emotions versus her logic. On the flip side, Eli feels guilt for falling for his dead cousin’s widow. A moving story about the power of the name of Jesus.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

"Echoes" by Robin Jones Gunn

“Echoes” is the third book in Robin Jones Gunn’s Glenbrooke series. Lauren is a vivacious young lady who has a hard time after going through a broken engagement. With the help of her family, some good friends, and an on-line pen pal, she learns to move on. What she didn’t bank on was falling for the person on the other side of the computer known only to her as K.C. They correspond for a year, but then Lauren has to make the decision- do they meet face to face? She’s faced rejection so many times, is it a good idea? Should she even be meeting someone she’s never seen- isn’t that dangerous?

I loved this book. Maybe because I’m a sap for a good romance and honest characters. Gunn does a good job of creating characters that aren’t realistic- they mess up just like real people do. The nice thing is that, although the book is part of a series, you’re able to read it without knowing the background story of the series.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

"Clouds" by RobinJones Gunn

"Clouds" is the republished fifth book of Robin Jones Gunn's Glenbrooke series. The story revolves around Jonathan Renfield and Shelly Graham-kids who grew up together and eventually fell in love. But due to harsh words, the two break ties. The book picks up five years later as Shelly moves home and memories of Jonathan overwhelm her as she wonders where life has taken him. 

The story is an enjoyable romance filled with travel and sisterhood. I enjoyed the story Robin weaves. Part of me wonders if this is one of her first books published, as it isn't as fluid as some other books I've read of her such as the Christy Miller series. I was sad that the book had such an abrupt ending. Hopefully we'll see more of Jonathan and Shelly in the remainder of the Glenbrooke series, because they have a sweet story. 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. 

"The Radical Question/A Radical Idea" by David Platt

There isn’t much to say about these books. Having barely over 100 tiny pages, this two-in-one book is more of a sermonette of Platt’s other works than actual books. Think of it as cliff notes. The points are excellent yet simple, and Platt backs them up with Scripture and testimonies. The gist is simple: What is Jesus worth to you? What are you going to do about it?

Platt encourages readers to live outside the boundaries we so carefully construct for ourselves and live passionately for Christ. These two books serve as a good reminder for Christians to live out the Great Commission and to do so boldly.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.