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Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

new books

An undeniably fun love story: Review of Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

June 19, 2013

undeniably yoursThe cover should have been my first clue that this book is not just your average Christian romance. It’s also fun! I was so surprised by author Becky Wade’s writing style (in a good way) because it was so realistic. The thoughts and actions of both Meg, the reluctant heiress to an oil company, and Bo, the hubba-hubba cowboy, are believable and sometimes, laugh out loud funny.

(Disclaimer: I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.)

In the opening scene, Meg is in the process of firing people her father needed to run his company and his life, including Bo, the man who runs the horse ranch on her property. Meg has no interest in horses and has been advised to shut down the farm, fire its workers and sell the horses. But she has a soft spot for people, and when Bo disagrees with her plan and asks for time to turn the ranch around, Meg gives him six months. Bo considers it a personal challenge to not only turn a profit at the horse farm but convince Meg that the farm is worth saving.

That becomes both easier and more difficult as Bo finds himself attracted to Meg in ways he considers in appropriate because of her position as his employer while Meg finds comfort from panic attacks in the presence of Bo and the horses.

It’s a fun dance between the two as they’re obviously attracted to each other but both wanting to maintain professional distance. Throw in a shady character from Meg’s past who threatens to destroy everything and you’ve got yourself a classic romance the keeps you turning the pages.

Sometimes I think Christian novels in the romance genre are too safe in that they don’t acknowledge the reality of physical attraction between characters or the goofball thoughts that people have. I connected with Wade’s characters and I’m almost kicking myself for not grabbing a copy of her first book, My Stubborn Heart. (You can bet I’ll be changing that!)

Filed Under: Fiction, The Weekly Read Tagged With: becky wade, christian romance, contemporary romance, cowboys, inheritance, new books, oil companies, texas

Learning from a long-ago shepherd: Review of A Heart Like His by Beth Moore

June 13, 2012

I don’t know what it is about Beth Moore, but her biblical insight is mind-blowing. The first book I ever read by her was Breaking Free, and it changed my life. Years later, I participated in video Bible study sessions of her lessons. Again, life-changing.

When offered the opportunity to review her book A Heart Like His: Intimate Reflections on the Life of David, I couldn’t say “no.”

I’ve been reading a chapter a day as I spend time with God, and though it seems like it has taken me a long time to get through this book, I appreciate the pace Moore sets. In studying David’s life, we’re not just hitting the highlights (Goliath) and lowlights (Bathsheba) but the in-between and even the back story with King Saul. The book is a detailed study of 1 and 2 Samuel, books we may not immediately turn to when looking for encouragement or principles for life but ones that are rich for the reading.

Moore makes an ancient shepherd’s life and struggles applicable to the modern follower of Christ.

Most of all, she makes the Bible exciting. Its stories are exciting, no matter what; sometimes it just takes a good teacher to unlock the treasure for you.

The book includes an excerpt of her Bible study series David: Seeking a Heart Like His. That will be on my list for sure.

FAVORITES: A Scripture reading is included at the beginning of each chapter and while Moore doesn’t hit everything in all the verses, reading those portions of Scripture brings depth to the teaching. I appreciate being able to focus in on a book or two of Scripture and study it in-depth. That sort of thing can be intimidating but Moore makes it manageable.

FAULTS: Not a one. She doesn’t let David off the hook for his sin, nor does she sugarcoat the consequences — for him or us — for doing something God doesn’t want us to do. I love that Moore tells it like it is. The Bible includes scenes that aren’t pretty and may not make sense on first reading, but a study of the culture and setting brings those scenes into context. Moore doesn’t avoid those topics. She faces them head on.

IN A WORD: Relevant. The Bible is often criticized for being irrelevant to modern life. Quite the opposite. Even if we don’t have to physically slay giants or run for our lives or hide in caves, we can glean principles for living from God’s Word. And that’s what A Heart Like His offers.

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In exchange for this review, I received a free copy of A Heart Like His.

Filed Under: Non-fiction, The Weekly Read Tagged With: Beth Moore Bible studies, life of david, living proof ministries, new books

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Hi. I’m Lisa, and I’m glad you’re here. If we were meeting in real life, I’d offer you something to eat or drink while we sat on the porch letting the conversation wander as it does. That’s a little bit what this space is like. We talk about books and family and travel and food and running, whatever I might encounter in world. I’m looking for the beauty in the midst of it all, even the tough stuff. (You’ll find a lot of that here, too.) Thanks for stopping by. Stay as long as you like.

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Occasionally, I review books in exchange for a free copy. Opinions are my own and are not guaranteed positive simply due to the receipt of a free copy.

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