The boy who came back from Heaven

(This book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers for a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review)

Book:  The boy who came back from Heaven

Author:  Kevin & Alex Malarkey

224 pages

In 2004, Kevin Malarkey and his six-year-old son, Alex, suffered an horrific car accident. The impact from the crash paralyzed Alex—and medically speaking, it was unlikely that he could survive. “I think Alex has gone to be with Jesus,” a friend told the stricken dad. But two months later, Alex awoke from a coma with an incredible story to share. Of events at the accident scene and in the hospital while he was unconscious. Of the angels that took him through the gates of heaven itself. Of the unearthly music that sounded just terrible to a six-year-old. And, most amazing of all . . . Of meeting and talking to Jesus. The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven is the true story of an ordinary boy’s most extraordinary journey. As you see heaven and earth through Alex’s eyes, you’ll come away with new insights on miracles, life beyond this world, and the power of a father’s love.
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First of all, I love true stories... the stories of what people really go through in life.  It just brings encouragement & a real connection.  This story is no different.  This little boy will encourage you & cause you to have a connection - & that connection is with a Spiritual world you may not really pay much attention too.

I was surprised... the title made me think it would be more about a story from him & what Heaven was & details so small of what he experienced... its not that way at all.  We do get those highlights & Alex's experiences & what he felt & saw... but 90% of the book is told from his dad, Kevin.  They talk about the accident, what happened during the time Alex was in a coma, the way the church came & loved on this family - the things outside of Alex is what makes up most of this book.

BUT, God is shown in ALL of that!  From prayers being spoken by EMT workers, & from nurses & from people they never even met, pictures drawn... it all shows God's power....

At the end of chapters, Alex would give his glimpses of Heaven & the dealings with the spiritual world of angels & demons.  The way he would talk about angels still visiting him ... & demons who "walk around lying to people" gave me chills.  There was one part of the book where Alex was so attacked by the devil, he wasnt even able to say the word Jesus until people started praying with him... if this book doesnt open your eyes up to a spiritual realm, I cant imagine anything that would.

I know people are skeptical when they hear people say they saw Heaven... I'm the same way... & you know what, that's not even important in this book.  I think this book shows God's encouragement, His provision more then anything... its not the point of "Heaven" so much...

I think if anyone ever has had a child that has struggled or is suffering, this is also a fantastic read for you.

You will be cheering Alex on when you are finished with his story.  I'm anxious to see what God does with the rest of his life...

My rating:  4 skeins

Official Book Club Selection

Book:  Official Book Club Selection

Author: Kathy Griffin

OK... I know... I know... Kathy Griffin is what every Christian is supposed to be against.  But there is something about her that just makes me laugh... I dont know what it is - maybe its the red hair... but I love this lady! 

She's rude, she's crude, she says things just for shock value ... but she has her moments where you can tell she cares about people at the core.  And I cant help but love a lady who stands up for what she believes - doesnt back down because someone tells her she shouldnt do somethiing... & someone who just wants to make people laugh...

Her "Life on the D-List" show makes me laugh every week so I was excited about reading her autobiography.  I wanted to hear more about Maggie too - her mom for those who havent seen the show.

And in Kathy style, she lets the language FLY... so if harsh language & horrible disgusting talking bothers you, then dont even THINK about getting this book.  I swear, I dont know why I laugh at her... I think its because when I read it, (or hear it from her on the TV), I just ignore it... like that cursing aunt that is in every family... you just go, "Oh Aunt so&so.. stop it"... you just get used to it...

It was interesting to see Kathy's rise to fame - the people she's met in life - the behind the scene things with Brooke Shields & what really happened in her marriage.  You can expect nothing but honesty with this lady.

I love Kathy - I love autobiographies... so I loved the book...

My husband was embarassed that I even had the book... even made the comment "Did anyone see you with that?" - like it was going to label me a bad person... well, I'm saying out loud - I love Kathy Griffin!  Because I believe no matter what, Jesus loves Kathy!   (She'd like that - I just know it)

My rating:  4 skeins

The Wedding Machine

Book:  The Wedding Machine

Author:  Beth Webb Hart

285 pages

Welcome to Jasper, South Carolina.  A place where Southern hospitality thrives.  Where social occasions are done right. And where, for generations, the four most upstanding ladies of the community ensure that the daughters of Jasper are married in the proper manner.

Friends from school days, "the gals" have longed pooled their silver, china & know-how to pull off beautiful events.  They're a force of a nature, a well-oiled machine.  But the wedding machine's gears start to stick during the summer their own daughters line up to tie the knot.  In the lowcountry heat & humidity, tempers flare, old secrets leak out ... & both love & gardenias bloom in unlikely places.

This is a celebration of life-long friendship - the kind that endures death & divorce, accidents & alligators, hot flashes & hurricans.  Even the drama of a small-town Southern weddings done exactly right.
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I was looking forward to this book with it being a Women of Faith Fiction.  And I did enjoy the story of the friendships - especially of Southern women - who love their sweet tea & everything "Southern Hospitatility"...

The story of Ray, Kitty B, Hilda & Sis - 4 women who have stayed friends from the 60's into today - where some of their own children are getting married.  They each had their own personalities & stories...

I'm glad I kept my "cheat card" though because with the four women & all their children & their fiances & spouses - WOW - lots of names getting thrown around here!

The story - well, it was a cute story - but just odd.  To me, there were wasnt so much an "ending" - so many open stories that didnt have closure.  That was a weird thing for me...One of the husbands is ill - what happened to him?  One of the daughters went against her mother & married someone else - what happened to them?  One of the friends is still locked inside of her home for goodness sakes... what becomes of her?  I guess I can just take the "They lived happily ever after" approach - but that did disappoint me about the book.

I did laugh at scenes in the book & could totally appreciate the Southern Weddings these ladies pulled together.  Laughing at the idea that "Video taping" a wedding is just horrid!  I wonder if real southern belles still exist like these ladies?  Hope so!

If you like a nice, easy read (dont forget the cheat card though) on friendships, you'd have a good time with this story - but I personally could take it or leave it...Its definitely not horrible though...

My Rating:  3 skeins

Shades of Morning

Book:  Shades of Morning

Author:  Marlo Schalesky

Pages: 331

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Marnie Wittier has life just where she wants it.  Quiet.  Peaceful.  No drama.  A long way away from her past.  In the privacy of her home, she fills a box with slips of paper scribbled with her regrets, sins & sorrows.  But that's nobody elses business.  Her bookstore/Coffee shop patrons, her employees, her friends from church - they all think she's the very model of compassion & kindness.

Then Marnie's past creeps into her present when her estranged sister dies & makes Marnie guardian of her 15 yr old son - a boy Marnie never knew existed.  And when Emmit arrives, she discovers he has Down syndrome - & that she's woefully unprepared to care for him.  What's worse, she has to deal with Tyler Cole, her sister's attorney, a man Marnie once loved - & abandoned.

As Emmitt & Taylor work their way into her heart, Marnie begins to heal.  But when pieces of her dismal past surface again, she must at least face the pieces of paper in her box, all the regrests & sorrows.  Can she do it?  or will she run again?
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I LOVED this book... I guess because I love a story of someone who lives with regret, shame & a past she wants to forget... & how they deal with it.

This book had such a good story on how it flashbacked to show the life Marnie & Taylor had together - & you fall in love with each of them - & them TOGETHER.  Taylor just is the perfect man, the man that you would want to give a happy ending...so what happens when he has to leave Marnie to go back to finish his law degree?  And what happens when Taylor comes back to find Marnie gone... and what happens after 15 years between them has past?

This book drew me in.... I literally couldnt put the book down until the last few chapters & even then, I couldnt even move... I seriously sat in a parking lot in my car to finish it up & see how it ended.  I so badly want to talk about the ending, but I cant... it was such a surprise to me that I gasped in front of a everyone in Penn Station... & then cried as I read the Epilogue... (DONT MISS THE EPILOGUE!!!) 

It also has a wonderful Readers Guide that lets you really ponder the meaning behind the book - the wonderful story of God entwined in this book & his mercy & grace & the many ways He gives us chance, after chance, after chance....

If you would like this book, check out the link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1601420250
It contains love, mystery, intrigue, & the message of God throughout...

My Rating:  5 skeins!!!

Friendship for Grown-Ups GIVEAWAY

Book: Friendship for Grown-ups

Author:  Lisa Whelchel

"Isnt that what we all want? To be seen, in all our glory, for better or worse, the good, the bad, & the ugly & still be embraced?" If only such friendships were easy to find.  And keep.  For Lisa Whelchel & millions of others, friendship is a challenge.  The vulnerability, trust, balance, grace & time required to develop & maintain strong friendships to not come easily.

Growing up as an actress in Hollywood, there were few people Lisa could trust & even fewer to guide her.  By the time she reached adulthood, she had learned to be self-sufficient.  She was strong, "safe" & she was lonely.  One day, Lisa found that "the desire to experience connection was stronger than the desire to be safe".  She determined right then to finally understand friendship;  how to create one, sustain it, & experience the sheer joy of having it.  But it wasnt easy. 

Since then, she has traveled the ups & downs of friendships, learning about herself, others & the kinds of friendships God designed.
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I zoomed through this book in a few hours... it was just a good read & easy to comprehend Lisa's story & her growth & the things she learned.

For me, I have been very, VERY blessed with friendships.  All through all the stages of my life... from childhood, through teen years, as a young adult & as a woman.... I have had friends come in my life for seasons, but have always had amazing people there for advice, laughter, tears & just plain old friendship.  I just have never had a problem making friends....

After reading this, I can see what a blessing I have had in my life because apparently it is not the case for everyone....

I guess that's what had me so intrigued about Lisa's story & struggle on finding friendship & experiencing it.  It sort of made me open my eyes to people who may have that same struggle. 

But as this wonderful Christian writer goes about her struggles & growths, she has God in it all - with scripture & spiritual lessons & just advise that everyone could take. 

For example - I wrote down this quote out of the book that doesnt necessarily have to do with friendship, but just with a Christian walk:

"I've lived enough life to know that my best intentions are no match for the enemy's brillant use of the weapons of deceit, moments of weakness & things hidden...."  -Amen sister....

Thomas Nelson sent me 5 copies of this book to give away too!  How amazing is that!!!!!  If you are a Women of Faith fan, you will love this book... I loved the questions with each chapter & I especially loved the "Conversation Prompts" at the end too.... perfect for a blogger.

So all you have to do to win... Just leave me a comment & tell me why you love your friends in your life... what makes them so special?  Easy enough! 

And remember - FIVE WINNERS!  WHOO HOOO!!!

Good luck! .... I'll draw the names on Sunday - the 4th of July....

My Rating: 4 skeins
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The Random Generator drew the numbers & here are the winners!!!

1. Gretta

2.  Mimi

3.  Lynn

4.  Lamb Around

5.  Megan

Then I just felt like someone needed this book more then me so I'm giving my copy away as well & the last winner was

6. Becca

Congrats ladies!!!!

The Extra Large Medium

Book:  The Extra Large Medium

Author: Helen Slavin

Ever since she was a child, Annie Colville has been talking to the dead. She knows they’re dead because for some reason they’re always dressed in chocolate brown. But Annie’s grown up now, and things are getting serious. Especially after she falls for and marries Evan Bees. It’s hard enough to lose someone you love; but what if you know they could come back to you? And they just . . . don’t? During her long wait for her missing husband to come back to her, in chocolate brown or not, Annie searches through her mother’s vast collection of lovers for the other missing man in her life — her father — and struggles with the questions her gift asks of her.
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The way the book started off, I thought I was really going to like it... but about a quarter in, I just kind of lost my interest.  The character of Annie just turned "whiney" to me & I just wasnt feeling the story.  I think a big part for me was that areas that I would think would be big parts of the story - like Evan Bees - it would be all covered on one page.  Like in one sentence, they would say, "Evan Bees met me that day.  Two months later we were married.  & then 4 years later, he went away one evening & he disappeared" - that's not from the book, but the way I perceived it .... & seriously, thats the way it seemed to flow.  Then it would take time on something that seemed far away from the story... just weird.

Plus, this is from an English writer so there were terms & words that seemed to be English sayings or their way of speaking....

I dont know... I just by the end, didnt really even care.  Hated that too because I did really think it was going to grip me in those first few pages.

My rating:  1 skein

Eclipse

Book: Eclipse

Author:  Stephenie Meyer

As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob–knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

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After reading "The short life of Bree Tanner" - I had to go over Eclipse again & figured with the movie coming out, I needed to read it again...

I'm glad I did... this is my favorite of all 4 books - or is it 5 now with the new book?  But anyways - this is my favorite with Bella, Jacob & Edward...

Couldnt want to get to the chapter "Fire & Ice" that involved the tent scene.  I love the conversation between Jacob & Edward... & the chapter following where Bella finally realizes she does have feelings for Jacob... oh, be still my wolf-loving-heart.

It was neat to read it again - especially after the other book & knowing more "back story" ...

And I know this is a re-read, but I am keeping track of all the books I've read this year, so thats why I have to add it on here...

And once again, my rating:   5 skeins .... with a big dramatic vampire/wolf love triangle sigh....