Christmas For The Heart By Cheryl Barker

Christmas for the Heart

by Cheryl Barker

Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

ISBN: 9798384508557

I love having devotions that are specific to the Christmas season! So, when Cheryl reached out and asked me if I'd review her new release I was so excited! She sent me the book for review.

Summary:

Christmas stirs countless longings in our hearts. Longings for a joyful, peaceful season. For merry moments with loved ones. For nostalgic moments and sweet memories. For meaningful moments of worship.

Simply put, we long for the beauty and wonder of Christmas. But so much interferes with that desire. Packed schedules, the urge to do everything Christmas, seasonal commercialism, and life situations all hinder these longings from becoming reality.

Cheryl Barker wants to help you change that with her new Advent devotional Christmas for the Heart. The quotes, reflections, original poetry, Scriptures, and special features in each chapter help you reclaim the beauty and wonder of the season. Her heartfelt words lead you to rejoice in the greatest gift ever given and inspire you to give the King of Kings the worship he’s due. The guided journaling makes this beautiful devotional book a perfect keepsake gift.

My Review:

There's so much to appreciate with Christmas for the Heart! Each day turns our hearts back to the reason why we celebrate this season. The author wants us to have our hearts turned towards Him throughout the days leading up to the celebration of Jesus's birth. As I went through the book, day by day, I thought not only about MY memories, but the ones I want to leave with my children and grandchildren. While this devotion can be done on an individual basis, I think it would be a great way to have conversations with your family by doing it together.

Each day's reading is short and sweet. The questions will definitely give you time to reflect on the past and the present. The author's original poems fit perfectly with each day's read/topic. The tidbits of wisdom she shares before each section to write in are built off of the reading and give us something to consider through the season.

I think most of us will be able to relate to many of the topics the author discusses in this devotion. Whether we're concerned about how much money we'll spend on a gift, going through a difficult time, or even considering our favorite carols, the author helps turn our eyes back to the Savior.

About the Author:

Cheryl Barker has led readers in reflection and encouraged them for years through the written word. She is the author of Mother of the Bride: Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride and has written for various other outlets, compilations, and for Blue Mountain Arts greeting cards, gift books, and calendars. Cheryl lives in Kansas and loves to spend time with family, enjoy friends, take photos, and indulge in daily doses of chocolate. She especially loves being grandma to two sets of twin grandsons.

Every Life Treasured Novella Collection

Every Life Treasured

Publisher: Brave Author Books

ISBN: 979-8999132406

I was so grateful to be on the launch team for Every Life Treasured. Being a proponent of the right to life, this book was so hopefully! I've read Jennifer before, but have never read books by Hannah or Aubrey! Thanks to the publisher for share the ebook ARC with me.

A Mother’s Tender Hand 

by Jennifer Q. Hunt

Summary:

While others praise her kindness as a social worker, for Alice Vogel it will never be enough. The needs brought on by the Great Depression are as endless as the guilt she can never outrun. Then she meets the Tanner family, who value people—even those the rest of society scorns. With her growing attraction to Seth Tanner and her unexpected admiration for his mother Milly, everything she believes is turned upside down. Will these new friendships that have transformed her life survive the truth of her story?

My Review:

What an incredibly sweet story! I love that it gave two sides of a coin: a mother who wants to keep a baby while another woman ended the life of hers. Milly was absolutely wonderful. Struggling with her down-syndrome son as well as a husband who was disabled in the war, she gets by on the generosity of others. That's where Alice comes in. While she believes her work will do the Tanner family good, it turns out they're the ones who minister to her broken heart and soul. The author always writes villains who are easy to dislike and does so again in this story. I love the strong stance on prolife as well as compassion for someone who has made the decision to end the life of their baby. Bobby, Milly's son who has down syndrome is a delight.

The Missionary and the Marine

by Hannah Hood Lucero

Summary:

Since her conversion from Islam, Nadia Hamdan has made it her life’s purpose to share the hope she has found in Jesus. As surprising as her new faith is the man she's fallen in love with--a Marine who spent his career fighting men like her terrorist father. When Nadia vanishes without a trace, Walt nearly loses his own faith. But the aftermath of her captivity will demand a reckoning from them both in what they truly believe about God, life, and unconditional love.

My Review:

This story was intense! This was a contemporary story about a missionary who heads off on a short-term mission and isn't heard from... until she is! Did I mention this story is intense! I'll admit it was a hard read because of what Nadia goes through. If there ever was a story that makes you wonder what you'd do in someone else's shoes, this is it! It's a reminder that we honestly don't know what we'd do. I like Nadia and her determination to live and protect her baby. Coming back from her tormentors is heart wrenching, and it unravels a lot about how her fiancee is going to respond as well as her friends. It's a powerful story about how God can soften anyone's heart and help us to love those we don't think can.

Born for Adversity

by Aubrey Taylor

Summary:

A child grows in Lani’s womb, a constant reminder of the young man she loves and will never have. The handsome François Durant fancies her, and would give her a safe and comfortable life–if only she’ll have ‘it’ taken care of. Instead, Lani seeks solace with her family in Bavaria. There, she will not only face the decision whether to keep the child or give him up for adoption, she will also be challenged to overcome the desire for a man’s love–a challenge made more difficult by the kind young farmer down the road.

My Review:

I really enjoy WWI stories so I was looking forward to this one. I can only imagine how many children have been born out of wedlock to men who just needed that "one time" with a girl before they deployed. Sadly, Lani finds out the hard way what the results can be. Her family certainly has some interesting history! I can easily say I didn't care one bit for François and you'll agree when you read the story! Aunt Trudi was a shining light in Lani's life as she carries her baby to term. The same could be said for Thomas. I loved that he was one of the numerous boys that Trudi's family took in. Don't miss the epilogue because it'll leave your jaw dropped!