The Chance

Description:  From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes a heartwarming story about childhood friends, broken lives, and a long ago promise that just might offer the hope of love for today.
Dubbed the “Queen of Christian Fiction” by Time magazine, #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is arguably America’s favorite inspirational novelist with a dozen bestsellers to her credit. In The Chance, she delves deeply into a theme that resonates with us all: It’s never too late for those willing to take a chance.

Years ago, the day before Ellie moved from Georgia to California, she and her best friend Nolan sat beneath the Spanish moss of an ancient oak tree where they wrote letters to each other, and sealed them in a rusty old metal box. The plan was to return eleven years later and read them. But now, as that date arrives, much has changed. Ellie, bereft of the faith she grew up with, is a single mom living in a tired apartment trying to make ends meet. Sometimes she watches television to catch a glimpse of her old friend —Nolan, now an NBA star, whose terrible personal tragedies fueled his faith and athletic drive in equal measure. But Nolan also suffers from a transcendent loneliness that nothing has ever eased.

In their separate lives, as Ellie and Nolan move toward the possibility of a reunion at the oak tree, Kingsbury weaves a tale of heart-wrenching loss, the power of faith, and the wounds that only love can heal.

My thoughts:  Ellie and Nolan were best friends.  Ellie's world falls apart when her mother has a one night stand and her dad moves her from Georgia to California.  The night before Ellie is leaving for California after her Dad's quick decision to move across country, Nolan and Ellie meet under a Spanish moss tree (their favorite spot) and bury the letters in a rusted metal box.  11 years later, they are supposed to meet but Ellie is a single mom and Nolan is now an NBA star.  

Ellie and Nolan in their years apart have suffered some great losses and have been irrevocably been changed by all that has happened in their lives.  Has Nolan's fame changed him, and would Nolan be able to accept all that Ellie is now?

Kingsbury has many fans including me, for those who thinks no books can live up to the Baxter Series, you need to try to this new stand alone book that has a cameo appearance from the couple from The Bridge.  This will be in stores March 5th and will be a must read.
The images and descriptions shared are courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine, and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your family. 

Do You Worry?

Freedom From Worry by Patricia Wilson 

Description:   Are you waking several times a night, obsessing over some situation you can’t control? Perhaps you’re anxious about your job, a strained relationship, your finances, aging parents, your children, health issues, or the state of the world. 
God calls you to leave your worrying behind, Patricia Wilson reminds you in this brief book packed with helpful suggestions for letting go of your worries. Twenty-eight days of prayer can help reduce your anxiety level. Ponder the devotions and pray the Psalms and other prayers in this practical, easy-to-use book. 
Let Patricia Wilson, with her warm, personal style, help you learn how to give your worries to the Good Shepherd. As you focus your attention and energy on God, you will learn to relax and see that God will take care of you, no matter what.

My thoughts:  How many of us worry... I know you have to admit it too... We really need to give our worries over to God which I know I get better and better at all the time.  Patricia Wilson's Freedom From Worry is an awesome easy-to-use book.  This book is a great tool to pray your way through the Psalms and give your prayers over to the one who has control.  

What I love about this book is the simplicity, each devotion pairs up with a different Psalm, focusing on certain verses from the Psalm of the day.  It really allows you to focus in on God and releasing all of your cares onto him.

This is a great book, whether or not you are a worrier or not.  Freedom from Worry is available March 1st.  

The images and descriptions shared are courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine, and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your family. 

Two New Great Books for Teens

What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God: Embracing God's Amazing Adventure for You

Lysa TerKeurst and Hope TerKeurst

Description: Lysa TerKeurst, president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and New York Times bestselling author, invites young women to begin the great adventure of living the life God has for them. With her welcoming style, Lysa shares the transformation and hope that await readers when they partner with God in decisions, pursuits, and dreams. Special sections include:

"Living Y.E.S." (Your Extraordinary Story)--how to personalize the power of yes "YES in Action" stories from Lysa's teen daughter, Hope, about living and sharing faith a bible study for each chapter

Young women will discover how to: listen for God's voice watch for God's leading daily let God use them to impact others.

This is an invitation to boldly ask for and expect more from life and the Christian walk. Young women will experience a journey of deep joy and great purpose that will have lasting impact.

My thoughts: What Happens When a Young Woman Say Yes to God is a great book.  The easy to read chapters with relatable stories will be great for any young woman in your life.  We all struggle even those of us who are not young women any longer is what we doing in line with God’s plan for our lives.  Lysa gives young women a map of how to really find God’s will for you. 

This study which incorporates her thoughts and scripture as well as contributions from her daughter, Hope, will be a great tool in any youth ministry.  Lysa discusses her obedience to God and how it has transformed her life and the lives of others.  We often pause when we hear God’s voice, how many times do we dismiss God because we think an idea is too big for ourselves, even as adults.

This is truly an awesome read for young women trying to find God’s way for them in the world. 

Prodigal

A Different Kind of Love Story

Rektok Ross    

Description: It was supposed to be Lexy Quinn's year. The hard-working wallflower has finally landed the coveted spot as Editor of her school's newspaper. Then the rug is ripped out from under her when she finds out her mom is sick, and the family is moving half-way across the country to Preston Hills, Texas. Lexy can't think of a worse place to be than at a school full of snobby rich kids where she'll have to start all over to get people to notice her writing, or--who is she kidding?--notice her at all. When the most swoon-worthy boy in town, who also happens to be the jock celebrity quarterback, gives her an exclusive interview, Lexy's life takes an unexpected turn. Ash Preston is the perfect guy and, even better, he sees Lexy as she wants to be seen. But can she trust him? PRODIGAL is a different kind of love story, where faith, romance, and God converge . . . and it just might change the way you look at your life.

My thoughts: 

Prodigal, Rektok Ross’ debut novel is a great teen read.  The story is a great coming of age tale but also a story of coming into faith.  Alexandria “Lexy” Quinn is about to begin her senior year, when she is suddenly uprooted to move to Preston Hills, Texas, because her mother has cancer.  Lexy has never been the popular girl and is anxious for a spot on the school newspaper, when she meets Ash, brother of the popular girl at school, who has given her grief. 

As the year goes on, Lexy and Ash’s relationship grows, and Lexy is also introduced to Ash’s and her girlfriend Preston’s faith.  Soon as her life takes unexpected turns, Lexy begins to realize that there must be more than what she knows. 

While there are some great makeover scenes as well as your usual high school activities of dances and football games, this book goes beyond the normal high school fluff and talks of grace and forgiveness and paints teens in a positive light.

The images and descriptions shared are courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine, and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your family.