Sequel is better.

Though My Heart Is Torn by Joanne Bischof
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had previously read and reviewed Be Still My Soul which I had enjoyed so I was excited to find book two in this series. Be Still My Soul was good but Though My Heart Is Torn was "I can't put this down" good. Lonnie and Gideon have developed a warm, loving marriage only to have the life they have built torn apart. They both independently work on putting their broken lives back together and yearning to follow God as best they can. Very well written! The third book in The Cadence of Grace series, My Hope is Found, will be released on October 15. Watch for a review to be posted soon.

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Needing Some Inner Happy? Read Renewed

Some time ago I received a copy of Lucille Zimmerman's recent release Renewed: Finding Your Inner Happy in an Overwhelmed World. I was apparently very overwhelmed as it took quite a while for be to have the time to actually sit down and read this book. Once I was able to read it, I was very glad I did and I'm certain you will be too.

Lucille Zimmerman is a licensed counselor as well as a professor and sought after speaker. The wealth of her experiences comes through in her book Renewed. Her writing style is very personal, yet includes enough citations and a biblbligraphy for readers to know there is solid evidence behind her words of wisdom. While reading, I felt like Zimmerman understood the issues I and other women face but did not talk down or belittle us for dealing with them. She also avoids the dualistic debate between working moms and stay-at-home moms.

After an introduction discussing why self-care is important, Renewed delves into a different self care topic in each of the 14 chapters. While many of the types of self-care mentioned aren't new, Zimmerman reminds readers that they are important and worth the time needed to pursue them. I particularly enjoyed the examples and tips given at the end of each chapter which provide examples of how to put more of that specific type of self-care into your life. Feeling in need of a little solitude but needing some new ideas? Turn to page 79-80.

This book would be an excellent choice for a ladies' book group to read and discuss the entire book in one sitting or for a study group to read and discuss one chapter per week. A one chapter per week format would definitely encourage readers to put the strategies into practice. Counselors may find this a useful resource to have available as suggested reading for clients or as a reference for the great self-care suggestions. Recommended for women of all ages but particularly for younger women who are learning to balance multiple demands.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Quiet: Life Changing Resource

When I first picked up the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain, I was hooked from the second sentence on the back cover referencing those “who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion” and thought to myself “I’m not alone in the world!” As I began reading the book, I found myself repeating this response frequently. Being a book lover, I typically abhor writing in books, but I found myself underlining and starring many important points Cain makes throughout this work. I can honestly say I loved this book and it has impacted me more than many other books I have read recently.

Cain begins by describing the temperaments of introversion and the “extroverted ideal.” While not putting down this ideal, she describes how the extroverted ideal and the culture of personality were not always seen as ideal and how society has shifted from valuing the characteristics of quieter introverts to the current emphasis on loud extroverts. For example, in today’s culture individuals who talk more are seem as leaders and are more likely to have their ideas accepted even if the idea isn’t that great. I imagine many introverts related to the examples of being passed over for jobs or promotions because they were quiet rather than loud. Cain researched Quiet very thoroughly and includes 271 endnotes. While including many examples and anecdotes, every concept is backed up by research as well.

Since receiving a copy of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain to review, I have heard references to this ground-breaking work in a variety of conference presentations and in conversation with others. Originally published in 2012 in hardback, the copy I received was published in 2013 as a paperback and includes a reader’s guide. Quiet is a book that needs to be read by teachers, leaders, professors, and anyone who interacts with others in any manner. After reading Quiet, introverts will understand themselves much better and realize they are not inferior or less of a person for being introverted. Extroverts will have a better understanding of their introverted colleagues and be better able to work with them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Blogging for Books (http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Murder Past Due by Miranda James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I recently discovered the Cat in the Stacks mystery series.  I picked up book 3 first but was hooked from the first page and quickly read the others in the series.  I enjoyed the main character Charlie.  I loved how Diesel, his cat, is allowed to accompany him so many different places.  The characters are enjoyable and I love the southern charm.  A great series to read when you need something lighter that still makes you think.



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Miss Dimple Disappears by Mignon F. Ballard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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A Faith and Fiction Bible Study

Recently, I was very excited to receive a complimentary copy of Her Restless Heart: A Woman’s Longing for Love and Acceptance by Barbara Cameron the second study in A Faith and Fiction Bible Study series from Abingdon Press. This six week Bible study revolves around characters in Barbara Cameron's novel of the same name. Although reading the novel is not required to complete the study, I promptly read the novel which I enjoyed immensely. This novel is the first in Barbara Cameron’s Stitches in Time series. I had previously read Cameron’s Quilts of Lancaster County series and was pleasantly surprised to find some overlap in the characters and setting.


Her Restless Heart Bible study intertwines excerpts from the novel, scripture, and discussion questions to address the study contents. The excerpts from the novel set the stage for the concepts covered. This construct allows the topics to be addressed first in the character's life and then to apply the topic to the individual as well. For example, questions frequently follow the pattern of “Why did Mary Katherine (the main character) feel?” followed by “Have you ever felt this way?” This format allows the study to delve deeper into the participant’s emotional life although individual participants may or may not choose to be forthright in answering the questions. Scripture from throughout the Bible is utilized throughout the study. Scriptures have been chosen by topic as opposed to a straight through a biblical book study. Some scriptures are printed in the book while others must be looked up by the participant.


As mentioned previously, the Her Restless Heart study can be completed with or without reading the novel. As previously mentioned, I chose to read the novel and found it greatly enhanced my use of the study. Some questions in the study would have been difficult to answer without having read the novel as they referred to items not included in the excerpts. I read the novel straight through (I couldn’t put it down!), but I would recommend reading it chapter by chapter in conjunction with the study as well.


This study is appropriate for both new Christians and those who are a bit more seasoned. The issues of self-doubt, self-worth, and feeling loved and accepted, which nearly everyone struggles with at some time, feature prominently in the study. Counselors may find this to be an excellent study to use with an individual or group of women. As Amish fiction is quite popular with many readers, many individuals will be drawn to participate. As a six-week study, the study is short enough that it does not tie up a group for an entire semester, but is long enough to bond as a group and to really delve into the content. The study format includes a small portion to complete every day which helps group members to build good devotional habits. However, having only five portions per week allows some flexibility if participants miss a day. In addition the entire lesson is short enough that it could be completed in one or two long sessions if needed. An accompanying leader’s guide and DVD containing interviews with the author are available as well and provide an added dimension to the study.


I enjoyed using Her Restless Heart in my own study and look forward to sharing this study with other ladies in a group format. If you are looking for Bible studies for your fall programming or for something for the summer months, Her Restless Heart is perfect. I eagerly anticipate using other Bible studies which correlate to Barbara Cameron's Stitches in Time series. If you haven't read this series yet, you need to run to your local bookstore or library and get it.

Learn to Kneel with Giants

Does your prayer life need a boost? Does the ACTS prayer acrostic just not seem like enough? Do you feel like you are a prayer neophyte instead of a prayer giant? Gary Neal Hansen’s book Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History’s Best Teachers published by InterVarsity Press introduces readers to ten prayer practices as taught by several prayer giants.

Kneeling with Giants is divided into four sections each focusing on a particular type of prayer including written prayers, using the Bible in prayer, communing with God, and asking God for help. Within each section, several different prayer types are described. Hansen succinctly introduces the spiritual giant associated with each prayer type and then describes how to practice that prayer model. I found it interesting that several of the prayer models mentioned are ones I had been exposed to previously but I was not familiar with the prayer giant associated with the practice. Hansen frequently references various primary sources related to each prayer type and encourages readers to investigate for themselves. In fact, the e-copy of Kneeling with the Giants includes a companion volume titled Kneeling with the Giants Reader which contains primary sources related to each of the prayer giants discussed. Although I had the printed copy, the primary sources contained in the companion reader enticed me to purchase the e-copy as well. I truly wish the companion reader was available in a printed option as well and hope InterVarsity Press and the author will reconsider this decision.

Hansen emphasizes that each type of prayer or prayer style is not for everyone. Some people will resonate with one type of prayer rather than another. Some seasons of life may lend to a particular giant’s prayer practices. Hansen’s approach was quite encouraging as some prayer books tend to emphasize one prayer model to the exclusion of others or insinuate that truly spiritual people follow a particular prayer practice. However, Hansen does encourage readers to spend a few weeks practicing each type of prayer rather than dismissing it out of hand. As prayer must be practiced rather than simply read about, readers will wish to dip in and out of this book rather than read it straight through. Hansen provides an appendix describing possible ways to use this book in classes or small group studies. Due to the emphasis that prayer must be practiced, he suggests selecting a few of the prayer giants to study and practice at a time rather than tackling the entire book in 12 weeks. To assist with this, a second appendix provides suggestions for how to begin each prayer practice.

Kneeling with Giants is recommended for multiple venues. Hansen’s book would make a marvelous addition to a college or seminary course on prayer or the spiritual disciplines. However, even in such a class it would be difficult to adequately explore all ten practices in a sixteen week course. A small group may find this a wonderful resource to dip into from time to time. For example, a group could select one prayer practice to read and discuss as a group and then to practice individually for a determined amount of time such as a month. An individual would find Kneeling with Giants a useful resource for jump starting a prayer life that has become stale or to focus on a particular prayer practice for a period of time such as during Lent.

If you enjoy Kneeling with Giants, you may enjoy following Gary Neal Hansen's blog as well and watch for future books by this author. Disclaimer: I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review and feedback. Quite honestly, my library had already purchased a copy and I had this on my "to-read stack" prior to receiving a review copy.