Book Review: Bringing Lucy Home

Good morning!  I'm back with one more book review - this one more specific to adoption!  The author of Bringing Lucy Home, Jennifer Phillips brought home her daughter Lucy from China last year using the same adoption agency that we are using!  Here's my review:

Bringing Lucy Home tells of an adoptive family's unexpected separation and how God used these events in their lives to write a moving story of love, family, trust and healing. Since my family is currently in the adoption process I can somewhat relate to the events that led up to this family's heart-wrenching separation, but I could never imagine the difficult and emotional journey they ended up taking!

Due to circumstances no one could have foretold, Ms. Phillips and her newly adopted daughter Lucy were separated from her husband and 3 other children in Australia as she waited in American for Lucy's visa. You can feel the heartache and longing of this family as they wait week after week for THE news that will allow them to be together again. I love the honesty and openness as the author recounts each turn of events, each glimmer of hope, each devastating "no" given. At the heart of it all is a beautiful picture of God's relentless love for His children!! It was very moving to read how the author recognizes the hand of God working in their difficult situation to bring comfort, love, and even change into their hearts and lives. No one would wish to go through a hardship like this, but to see how God works all things for His glory and their good is an amazing and encouraging thing!!

Ms. Phillips has a wonderfully engaging sense of humor and writing style which makes reading this book especially delightful! You really will laugh, cry and be fully engaged with this charming book! I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

Today is the one year anniversary of the day we received our approval from LifeLine to proceed with our adoption!! God has done so many wonderful things in that one year and we are looking forward to holding our daughter soon!! :)

The Pharoah's Daughter RELEASE DAY!

It's been a long time my friends!! But I'm back today with a book review from one of my very favorite authors, Mesu Andrews.  TODAY is the day that you can finally purchase The Pharoah's Daughter and I strongly urge you to . . . read why:

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Mesu Andrews!! She has a gift for taking a story and making it come alive with rich details, exciting twists and turns and beautiful, interesting characters! And the Pharaoh's Daughter may just be my new favorite book from Ms. Andrews (although I truly love them all!).

The story follows the Biblical account of Moses, from a bit before his birth through his young adulthood. If you thought you knew this story, you are in for a treat! Expertly researched and woven together with marvelous detail, this book takes you on a journey of with Anipee, the pharoah's daughter, as she finds the baby Moses and spends the rest of her life loving, caring for and protecting him. I don't want to give away details from the story, but every single character and twist in this book adds to the beautiful story of God's providence! I loved reading of Jochabed and Miraim and how they were able to be a part of Moses's life once he entered the palace. Imagining how Moses would have grown up and lived as a member of Pharaoh's family is fascinating! One of my favorite thing is that each chapter begins with a small portion of scripture which serves to give you a foreshadowing of what may be ahead. Often I found myself going back to that scripture and being amazed at how it fit perfectly!

I can wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone who loves Biblical fiction and if you've never tried it this book is THE book you should read first! I was, and truthfully still am, captivated by this story! It's one of those books you will want to read without stopping!! Mesu Andrews has outdone herself on this one - a true MUST read!!

I was given an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.

Scavenger Hunt Blog Hop - In the Shadow of Jezebel!

I'm so thrilled to be part of a brand new adventure! One of my favorite author's, Mesu Andrews, has put together a group of BFFs - Biblical Fiction Fans and I get to be part of it! As part of the group we were provided with a pre-release copy of her newest book, In the Shadow of Jezebel which is being released TODAY!  Keep reading for more fun details . . .

We are having a scavenger hunt! Wanna play? Read the rules and then jump right in!

Somewhere in my review below, there is a single word that is in BOLD AND ALL CAPITALS. Write it down. Then, go to the other stops to find more hidden words. Once you have all the words, unscramble them to find a verse from the Scriptures. You can enter it into the Rafflecopter on any of the stops to have a chance to win a great prize from Mesu herself!

About the Book

Title: In the Shadow of Jezebel

Author: Mesu Andrews

Publication Date: March 4, 2014

Publisher: Revell

Print Length: 417 pages

Summary (Amazon):

Princess Jehosheba wants nothing more than to please the harsh and demanding Queen Athaliah, daughter of the notorious Queen Jezebel. Her work as a priestess in the temple of Baal seems to do the trick. But when a mysterious letter from the dead prophet Elijah predicts doom for the royal household, Jehosheba realizes that the dark arts she practices reach beyond the realm of earthly governments. To further Athaliah and Jezebel's strategies, she is forced to marry Yahweh's high priest and enters the unfamiliar world of Yahweh's temple. Can her new husband show her the truth and love she craves? And can Jehosheba overcome her fear and save the family--and the nation--she loves? With deft skill, Mesu Andrews brings Old Testament passages to life, revealing a fascinating story of the power of unconditional love.

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My Review of this Book

Biblical fiction at it's absolute best!  In the Shadow of Jezebel takes an often overlooked portion of Scripture, in the time of the split kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and weaves a compelling story of intrigue, action and even romance!

Mesu Andrews's books are lovingly researched and always lead me back to read the Biblical account.  I always end up asking myself, "how did I miss that?"  The daughter of the weak King of Judah (who's queen is Athaliah daughter of Israel's Queen Jezebel) married to Yahweh's high priest? Yet, among all the pagan rituals and idol worship of the day, God works His divine purpose, preserving a nation and a people, through unlikely means.

Mesu's amazing storytelling ability IS perfectly showcased in this story helping us to understand the characters and visualize the settings.  I was fascinated by glimpses of the wicked queens Jezebel Athalial. I sympathized with the fear and uncertainty of Princess Jehosheba and routed for her to accept the love of God and her high priest husband!  I was captivated by this story of redemption and love! 

I highly recommend this beautiful book. It's a page-turner you won't want to end!

The Buzz - Praise for Mesu Andrews' Biblical Fiction

"Mesu Andrews has pieced together Scripture's truths with historical supposition through her masterful, research-based writing and captured the spiritual climate of those ancient days."--CBA Retailers+Resources on Love in a Broken Vessel "Andrews weaves a beautiful tale and takes readers to an ancient Jerusalem rich with history and customs and a culture that struggles to follow the one true God."--RT Book Reviews, 4½ stars, on Love's Sacred Song

About The Author

Mesu Andrews is the award-winning author of Love Amid the Ashes, Love's Sacred Song, and Love in a Broken Vessel. Winner of the 2012 ECPA Christian Book Award for New Author, she has devoted herself to passionate and intense study of Scripture, bringing the biblical world vividly alive for her readers. She lives in Washington.

Mesu's Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

Stops on the Scavenger Hunt

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