Monday, December 18, 2017

Nonfiction Review: Enjoying God by RC Sproul

RC Sproul (rhymes with "soul") has a talent for language and storytelling. In "Enjoying God," he takes the attributes of God and puts them in easy-to-understand terms. Some attributes are thought-provoking theological questions and others are simple traits that have already been covered too often by other authors. But Sproul makes them fresh and enlightening again. We consider the definition of truth, the uncaused cause and more. Here we have one of the great theologians whose work is full of profound quotes worth underlining.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Loving My Actual Christmas

I love a good Christmas book, and let's be honest, we can all relate to the hectic nature of the holiday season. However, "Loving My Actual Christmas" seems to be written more for the mother with a large family. The author writes from experience, and her experience is with a family. Alexandra gives tips for controlled chaos, but the majority of her book is her day to day journal of the advent season, making an effort to remember the important things. And in that, I can relate. I appreciate that she gives  a piece of Scripture to go with each thing she's trying to remember. But in the end, I really don't get much from reading someone else's journal, nor am I a mother. "Loving My Actual Christmas" is a book I would recommend to those who like the journal style of writing, parents, and those who easily learn from others' example. Personally, though, I was bored by the book and ready to give it away to the next reader.

*Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Fiction Review: Vanishing Point by Lisa Harris

Having read all of Lisa Harris' previous Nikki Boyd books, I was disappointed that Nikki's saga with her sister's disappearance should come to an end in a book in which Nikki barely appears. For those who have not read the other books in the series, however, "Vanishing Point" will prove to be page-turner with no knowledge of the previous books required. Harris opts to solve the mystery of the Angel Abductor from the point of view of the detectives originally put on the case. Spanning the story over several years gives the reader ample time to get to know the characters and their dilemmas, from father troubles to sick relatives. The question of where God is in the midst of pain is posed and given a light, pat answer. And most of the story lines are wrapped up nicely. There's a bit of romance in there too. I enjoyed getting the overall picture of the long race to find the killer. But for readers invested in Nikki Boyd's character, the conclusion really does not satisfy. We can only hope for another book that fills the holes.

*Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for my honest review.