Friday, January 31, 2014

Book Review: Please Don't Let Me Die



by Patrick J. McCarthy

Patrick McCarthy, his wife Lisa, and six of their children lived the worst nightmare any family can live. They lost their youngest daughter and baby sister, Danielle, a victim of homicide. The legal term in Washington State was Homicide by Controlled Substance. The particulars of how Danielle died constitute heartbreak in itself.

This book is written by a father who had questions about why his daughter had to die  and was unfamiliar with the legal system. Mr. McCarthy and his family had to wait eighteen long months for the main perpetrators to be brought to ‘justice’. The wait was hard because Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy did not understand why the process took so long. Each time there was a court date, they had to drive a great distance to the town where Danielle had been on the morning she died.  One bright spot was they had support from their family who mostly lived out of state.
All the while this nightmare was going on, they had one big question, Why were they the LAST to know of their daughter’s/ sister’s tragic death?
This is a book I would recommend to counselors or pastors. I believe this would be a hard read for someone who has gone through a similar time, unless they are going through counseling.


I received a free copy of this book from Carpenter’s Son Publishing and the author, Patrick J. McCarthy through The Book Club Network. All I was asked to do was read it and give an unbiased review.  

Graphic: barnesandnoble.com

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Book Review: 52 Reasons to Believe by Gregg Peter Farah


  


ConciseThoughts On the Christian Faith

Gregg Peter Farrah, a pastor of Shelter Rock Church on Long Island, New York, has examined the Christian faith as a jeweler would a fine diamond. He brings the four areas of our faith into view, breaking those areas down into small chunks. He discusses the Bible, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

The book is called a devotional theology book. It is the second of a four-part series Rev. Farah is creating. In each of the 52 short devotional readings, he includes sections called Reasons to believe, a key quote, Did you know, Link to your life, Small group discussion, Key verse, and Prayer.

Rev. Farah has researched this topic very well. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires to grow in their faith and for small group usage. I would also recommend this book for a Sunday school class study. The author includes curriculum ideas and a lesson template for those who would wish to study this book. I look forward to seeing the other books in this series.

I received this book free of charge from Carpenter’s Son Publishing and Reverend Farrah through The Book Club Network. All they asked of me was an unbiased review. 



Graphic: gpfarah.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

Book Review: The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim




Rachel Stoltzfus, a young woman living in an old order Mennonite community, made a mistake. The citizens of that society began to notice the change in her. She was not alone in her sin. The newly appointed bishop of the area wanted to banish her from the community. Her sin, like all sin, touched others beside herself. Her twin sister and her sister’s husband felt the sting of undealt with sin.

When the health of an innocent child comes to the forefront, the people who have been party to and victim of the sin, as well as the ones who set the stage for it have to admit their part in it.Rachel’s story is told by Rachel and Amos King, the deceased bishop.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes to read stories about the Amish or the Mennonite people. Although this is Ms. Petersheim’s first novel, I believe she will write more about her Mennonite heritage. I look forward to reading her books in the future.

I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishing and Jolina Petersheim through the Book Club Network. All I was asked to do was read this and give an unbiased review.


Graphic: jolinapetersheim.com

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...