The Edge of Over There by Shawn Smucker

"The Edge of Over There" by Shawn Smucker is the second book in the "The Day the Angels Fell" series.  I really don't know how to summarize this book even re-reading the description on the back I am still not sure how to summarize it.  Maybe its because I have not read the first book in the series.  I will say right off the bat even though it is marketed as Christian novel I really can't consider it a Christian novel.  For me a Christian novel should draw us either closer to encourage our relationship to Christ and this one was spiritual but I am not sure if it was a Christian Spirituality.  I got confused by different characters and if the Tree of Life was to represent God or what but that all might be because I have not read the first one.  I just kept getting confused and confused so I am going to revisit this book after I read the first one.  So for me I would not recommend this book if you have not read the first one and then go into thinking of it as a good fiction book not a Christian novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Gospel for Muslims by Thabiti Anyabwile

"The Gospel for Muslims" by Thabiti Anyabwile is about encouraging us to share Christ with confidence especially to Muslims.  This was a very interesting and intriguing book but I do think a lot of the tips could be used not only to witness to Muslims but other non-believers as well.  If you are looking for an in depth apologetics book then this one is not for you.  It was just a basic average Joe type of sharing the Gospel book.  This was a very encouraging book that reminds me it is my duty as a Christian to witness to all people no matter who they are.  I highly recommend this book for any Christian.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart

"River to Redemption" by Ann H. Gabhart is about Adria Starr who as a child lost her whole family to a cholera epidemic of 1833 but thanks to a slave named Louis she survived.  She is adopted by a widow who lost her husband to the epidemic also.  Now grown she has to decided her future to be a wife or to help slaves especially her friend who saved her as a child Louis.  Before I get into my opinions on the book I feel I should explain cholera as it is a disease we read a lot about in the past but don't hear much about it in today's world so many people don't know what it is.  It was a disease that cause severe and deadly vomiting and diarrhea due to contaminated water and in the 1800's it was a common way to die and people still die from it in this day but not as many.  Back to the review.  This was a very powerful novel not only on Adria's feeling for the her friend Louis and the school teacher Ruth who took her in as a child but also her decision on does she want to marry or to do something else. I really liked how the author goes into the attitudes and feelings of the time wether they are right or wrong.  She did not sugar coat how some people felt that they thought slavery was no big deal and how others knew it was wrong.  This a powerful book in my opinion on how are were going to respond when things are not correct and to help others even when it could cost us.  I highly recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Raising World Changers in a Changing World by Kristen Welch

"Raising World Changers in a Changing World" by Kristen Welch is about learning the joy of giving not just a little but all of what God has given you.  This was a very good book on reminding us about the beauty of giving.  So many books on giving just talk about how if you give you get more this book is not that type.  The author writes about giving in the biblical way which is about sharing what God has blessed you with other no matter how much or how little and not worry about what you may get.  She really does a good job of showing giving is not about you but about others.  I highly recommend this book as a great book on giving.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Books a division of Baker Publishing Group. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Black and The Blue by Matthew Horace

"The Black and The Blue" by Matthew Horace is a book from the viewpoint of a police officer on racism and the police.  What a powerful book that is not on the sensational side or even one sided.  What do I mean by one sided well when it comes to race and the police it seems in our modern society that it is that people believe only side.  Well this author is not only an African-American but also a police officer so he truly knows both sides.  He does not hold back on his views or what he personally has experienced from racist co-workers or what he has seen as a public person.  The blatant racism he experienced was sad and should not be happening but sadly it is.  The author really shows us how in our modern times we think racism is gone but it really is still there just hidden right under the surface.  This was a very powerful book and I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.