When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams, Jill Eileen Smith. (Book Review)

About the book:
 Life is full of twists and turns. Relationships falter, careers fizzle, health fades. We may be faced with choices we never wanted to make or have situations pushed upon us we'd never expected. Yet, in all of it, God is at our side--even when He feels far away.

Drawing on her extensive research into women of the Old Testament, novelist Jill Eileen Smith turns her pen to the lessons in trusting God that we can learn today from women like

- Eve
- Noah's wife
- Sarai
- Hagar
- Lot's wife
- Rebekah
- Rachel
- and more

Readers will learn from what these ancient women did right--and even what they did wrong--when faced with dashed expectations and deferred dreams. And they'll come away with the confidence that ours is a faithful God who loves us and is forming us through our trials into the women He longs for us to be.

My thoughts: 4.5/ 5 stars. 

I knew immediately I'd like this book after just the first page. 

  Told partly in each woman's point of view, it was a joy to get to know them better. There was something about Jill's writing ability that made these women and their lives so much more real. I definitely shed a few tears and smiled largely with them. 

 As we go through the stories of these twelve women,  we imagine how their lives would have be different if they'd not made the choices they did, if they'd not made the mistakes they had. How different would their lives be? How different would ours be? 

  While I didn't always agree with everything Jill wrote, she did bring up some very interesting ideas and points. 

 Some things dragged on a bit but still a very enjoyable book. And it was great for the author's first nonfiction book! 

 

 The author regaled us with relative stories and lessons and trusting God with the outcome of every situation we're in. 

 

 My favorite story in this book would have to be Lot's wife, whom we call Melah. I related to the story and feelings Jill imagined for her and I related to the stories Jill told of her own life,and how she relates to the woman who couldn't help but look back.

 

 The book made me stop and say, "It's not just me?" and realize that I'm really not alone.

Did you ever read a book that gave you a new passion for living? For having a relationship with Christ? This book was that book for me.

(page 55, Sarai) 

 Christians are messy too. Because the truth is, we're all broken people with pasts we can't erase and sometimes can't forgive. When we choose not to forgive, however, we set ourselves up for a life of bitterness and merciless judgment of others. We lose all ability to live the grace we were given when we first believed 

 

 With God there is hope. God, who can calm the stormy seas, is also very capable of calming our turbulent emotions and healing our hurting pasts--if we'll ask Him.  (Page 121, Rachel.)

 Purchase links for Purchase link on Amazon.

CBD

Thrift Books

Book Depository.

  Thank you so much to Revell for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 *All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own, I was not required to leave a good review. *

~Rebekah 💞

Fab Five: Favorite Movie/TV Show Heroine.

Number 1:

Rosemary Leveaux Coulter.
 I know, I know. Shrieky, pushy, nosy, manipulative, somewhat mean, Rosemary.
 Buuut she's also got a good side. She can be kind, caring and even loveable.
Rosemary made the list because I'm always so inspired by her. When she wants something, she goes out and gets it. She fights for what she believes in, and she is insanely strong and fierce.

Number 2:

Lorelai Gilmore.
 How could Lorelai not make the list?
Yes, she can't keep a guy around longer than a few months. Yes, she has an insanely bad relationship with her parents.
But Lor is a fighter. She's strong, she's fierce, she has fire and spirit.
She's got a humor only a select few will understand.
 Lorelai fights for what she wants. And she raises her daughter that way.
 Even though this phrase was used for her daughter, Rory, it stands for her too: What she tackles, she conquers.

Number 3:

Bethany Hamilton.
I included a picture of the actress who plays Bethany Hamilton, and the real woman.
 Bethany is a huge inspiration.
  When so many of us would have just given up, she continued fighting.
 In case you don't know the story of Bethany Hamilton, I'll give a quick recap.
 When Bethany was 14 (I think) she was out surfing. A shark attacked her and she lost her left arm. Instead of allowing her loss to rule her life, she's used it to inspire and encourage others toward Christ.
See? Amazing. :)

Number 4:

Ziva David.
This girl doesn't just have a fiery soul, she's got the moves too.
She can beat the crap out of any man 3x her size and look great doing it.
Now, I haven't seen the newest episodes yet, so DON'T GIVE ANY SPOILERS.


I'm sorry but I don't have a number five. I honestly can't think of one.
I don't watch a lot of TV and movies so I have trouble with these XD

  Be sure to check out Erudessa's post!

❓ Who are your favorite heroines?

Fab Five: Top Five Book Heros.

Hey, I'm baaack!
I'm a couple days late posting this, but I've been very sick these last few days, so you'll have to excuse me!

  Today I'm bringing my top five book heros! Not my favorites, ones that I enjoy. Immensely. 🤣
And here I go.

Number 1: Todd Spencer.

 Todd is the best.
  Swoon worthy, a total God lover, a friend to everyone.
  Plus he's a gorgeous surfer boy. Shall I go on?
  He loves with all his heart. Even when he is fighting with Christy, AKA the love of his life, he is always there. 
  He does what's best. He trusts God wholeheartedly. He's a true inspiration.
 I love him. 😍😍😍
#waitingformyTodd.
Also, can we just acknowledge that Todd has ruined every other guy out there because I don't think there is anyone as good as him.

 Number 2: Kyle Buchanan.

Ahh Kyle. *swoons at just the thought of him.*

   Though there are editions with Kyle on the cover I don't like them nearly as much as this one.
 Maybe because it's the cover that I read the book with, but there's just something about it. Don't you think?

 Kyle is a firefighter, he volunteers at the church youth group.
He's got faith bigger than Texas, plus he's just so darn good looking.
 And there was only one time throughout the book that I was mad at him.
Or was it two? Who knows, who cares? It's Kyle!
  I adore him, in case you couldn't tell. 😉

 Number 3: Tyler Atherton.

Tyler has such a heart of gold.
 Though Carissa has expressed her disinterest many times,  Tyler just won't give up on the girl he's sure he loves.
  Tyler is such a gentlemen. He respects Carissa and her past.
  Carissa has been running from hurt for so long, when it finally catches up to her she's in big trouble. And of course Tyler, with a whole lot of faith in God, swoops and and becomes the hero that has always been lurking underneath.
   AND he's really good looking. 😉

 Number 4: Dave Richman.

 I couldn't find an edition with Dave on the cover but just know he's here in spirit.

 Dave is a protector, (a well known trait in Dee's books.)
 He wants to do nothing but protect the people he loves, and for the most part he does.
Buuuut then he meets Kate. The strongwilled, head strong, fierce woman who doesn't need protection. Or does she?
  Dave doesn't give up. Especially when it comes to people hurting the people he loves. Don't do that. It's for your own good.  He's got a gorgeous British accent, a heart of gold. He's a friend, a follower of Christ, and an FBI Agent.  Definitely, definitely swoon worthy.


 Number 5: Ben Thornton.

Ben always does what's right, especially after that unfortunate incident when he was young.
 Ben is so kind and sweet, especially to Millie, the sweet southern girl he finds snooping where she doesn't belong.
 They embark on an incredible journey together, thinking they'd find the true identity of Millie's great grandfather.
Instead they find who they are as individuals, and who they are together.
 Ben is smart, funny, good looking, SOOO kind.
I just love him.



  I hope you enjoyed my list and be sure to check out Erudessa's post!!

 Who are your favorite book heros?

~Rebekah.
 

Fab Five: Top five favorite movie/tv heros. Part 1.

Today I'm collaborating with my very good friend, Erudessa to bring you a list of our top five favorite movie and TV heros.
  So without further ado, my list.

 

 1 Luke Danes.
 How can you not love Luke Danes?? As some of you know, Gilmore Girls is my favorite TV show ever!
 So how could I not put this loyal, kind, grouchy diner owner at the top of my list?
 Luke may be the grinch at all times of the year but he's soooo sweet. He just doesn't always show it. 😉

 2 Clark Davis.
 That's right, the Love Comes Softly patriarch. Does the man ever age?
  His kindness never changes, his love for his family;  His unwavering faith in Christ; those are just a few reasons to love this hero!
 He is always there when someone needs him. He loves like you've never seen love before.
 Actually, the song Wherever You Are by Ben Rector kinda fits him perfectly!

 3  Ty Borden.
 Yup, the emotionally scarred boy who runs away when things get hard, on the popular television show, Heartland.
 But he loves so deeply.
 I think one of the main reasons I love him is because he has grown so much throughout the series.
 You know, he had a really bad childhood, he's running away from his problems instead of facing them.
 He has to learn to stop running.
 With the help of horse crazy, Amy Fleming, he might just do that. 😉

4   Leland "Lee" Coulter.
 Lee is a too unpopular TV hero in my eyes.
Mountie Jack Thornton mostly outshines this handsome hero on When Calls the Heart.  But, Jack actually isn't my favorite hero.
 Lee is  so sweet, encouraging and kind!
 Plus he can put up with Rosemary's nonsense like nobody's business.
 Lee comes to town right when we need him to, he picks the people of Hope Valley up, (formerly known as Coal Valley) and builds up their hopes and dreams again.
 What's not to love?

 5 Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
 You didn't think there was going to be a list without him on it did you?
He practically invented the list.
 Gibbs is the silent, brooding type. But he never fails to show up.
 Or invite you in. To his basement. Where he's working on what seems to be his 44th boat.
   Gibbs has been through a lot, it's what makes him so kind when people are hurting.
 He knows when to push, when to stand still, and when to just be a shoulder to cry on. And many, many people do that.
 He's so empathic. So gentle (except when it comes to the people who hurt the people he loves.)
He loves deeply which means he hurts deeply.


    I hope you enjoyed this post of my favorite TV/movie heros!!

Be sure to check out Erudessa's post!

❓What are five of your favorite heros that grace the TV screen?

The Secrets of Paper and Ink, Lindsay Harrel (Book Review)

 

About the book:

A year after the death of her abusive fiancé, domestic violence counselor Sophia Barrett finds returning to work too painful. She escapes to Cornwall, England--a place she's learned to love through the words of her favorite author--and finds a place to stay with the requirement that she help out in the bookstore underneath the room she's renting. Given her love of all things literary, it seems like the perfect place to find peace.

Ginny Rose is an American living in Cornwall, sure that if she saves the bookstore she co-owns with her husband then she can save her marriage as well. Fighting to keep the first place she feels like she belongs, she brainstorms with her brother-in-law, William, and Sophia to try to keep the charming bookstore afloat.

Two hundred years before, governess Emily Fairfax knew two things for certain: she wanted to be a published author, and she was in love with her childhood best friend. But he was a wealthy heir and well out of her league. Sophia discovers Emily's journals, and she and William embark on a mission to find out more about this mysterious and determined woman, all the while getting closer to each other as they get closer to the truth.

The lives of the three women intertwine as each learns the power she has over the story of her life. 

  My thoughts: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 That title alone!! 😍😍😍😍

 A split time novel, my heart raced back and forth throughout hundreds of years.
 All three of these women had beautiful and compelling stories.
  While there is romance, I like that it wasn't the main plot.
   Instead of the book being overpowered by romantic relationships, it was full of beautiful friendships. Women supporting other women. It was a refreshing trope.
 Especially for someone who has gotten just a little sick of romance lately. And to all who personally know me, I know, I know. What a shocker! 😂
   I loved the sweet, kindred spirit friendship between Ginny and Sophia. It was so sweet and there friendship was so spontaneous, I believe God makes people to fit together, and these ladies fit.

  I did love the romance that was in put in though.
 Sophia's friend William was adorable!! His lighthearted humor but huge heart were just what she needed.
 I won't give away anything else. 😉

    Emily was somewhat of a Jo March.  Spending hours writing, unaware of how the hours had slipped away. Hers and Sophia's love for all things literature was familiar to my own. We're still working on Ginny. 😉
   I loved the love of all things books and writing!! Lindsey has a way of perfectly describing these "other worlds wrapped in cardboard and parchment. "

 Sophia was a victim of abuse, she goes to Cornwall to recover and find herself in the process. Her close friend Joy thinks if Sophia writes her story, it will allow her to heal.

 Ginny is a "runaway," she's never felt like she's belonged. Sure, she's pretended, but the life she's living just isn't what her soul is saying is right.
 Her husband has left, Ginny has sectioned herself off from her friends, but when Sophia comes into her life, both ladies have an impact on each other they could never have imagined.


    The writing was gorgeous! Poetic and beautiful, Lindsay has a way of putting you in the scene. Her descriptions made my heart sore and my soul happy. Her poetic writing will not soon be forgotten.

 I would have preferred more Faith content.
 While a few of the characters did have a relationship with Christ and purposely gave their lives to Christ, it just wasn't enough for me.

 My heart ached for lost love, displaced hearts, and the sad influence society has on our decisions.
 Even though this story is fiction, it has a way of touching your soul like no other has before.

 Some of the story lines were predictable, but not too predictable you couldn't enjoy it. others story lines were a complete surprise!


 There was a sex comment I didn't like, and wondered why it was in there.
But it was about a married couple, so nothing impure.


   "A lot of people deserve happiness and don't get it."
"But a lot do. Maybe we just need to keep walking, even when it takes us somewhere we don't want to go. Maybe on the other side, that s where the happiness is found. But if we give up when we're wading through the muck and mire, we'll never discover . . ."Ginny paused.
She continued, "If we give up hope, we'll never discover the ocean of possibility spread before us."


 Lindsay is a new to me author, I was not disappointed.
 You will definitely want to grab this book up as soon as it releases on February 26th!!

But for now, you could pre-order it here.


 I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.