Moon Over Edisto by Beth Webb Hart - a book review

Moon Over Edisto by Beth Webb Hart

Are you from a dysfunctional family?  You will certainly identify with the Bennett family.  Their lives were torn apart when Julia’s college friend, Marney, had an affair with Julia’s father and he divorced her mother and married Marney.  Julia moved to New York City and had an successful life as an artist and art professor.  Her sister, Meg, threw her life into having the perfect family that she didn’t have when growing up.  Their mother almost shut herself off from the world with her grief after her divorce.  Twenty years later Julia was called home, back to the low country of South Carolina, and was surprised when her plans for the future were interrupted by Marney’s needs and her love of the country.  God works in all their messes to bring healing and hope to each one.

There is quite a large cast of characters in this book and you have to pay attention at the beginning of each chapter to see who that chapter is about.  However, the twists and turns of their lives really kept my interest and I found it hard to put it down.  A major theme was the need to give and receive forgiveness and each major character found a way to forgive the past.  There were so many relationships to resolve – but the book had a great ending.

Disclosure:  Booksneeze® has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.   The opinions are my own.

The House that Love Built

The House that Love Built

By Beth Wiseman

Brooke is a young widow raising two children and living on the  memories of her wonderful husband who was killed in a car accident.  Owen moved to town to buy the Hadley Mansion, a big old house his ex-wife would have loved.  He met Brooke who owned the hardware store as he started the remodeling process.  Then he hired Hunter, the town’s young trouble maker whom Brooke didn’t want to be around, to work for him.  Throw in Brooke’s estranged parents, the original owner of the home, and Owen’s eccentric uncle, and you have quite an unusual family.  Of course, God is in the midst putting a family together.  With just the right amount of romance thrown in the book is a wonderful read. 

I love books about family – and this book is about a wonderful family that God put together – although they are not related by blood.  I could put myself inside this book; as I grew up my parents included many people in our family times.  As an adult, I treasure the “family” God has given me.  I couldn’t put this book down; had to carry my ipad in the car to read.  I loved that God was referred to often and was right in the middle of making Brooke, Owen, Hunter, and many more into one big family.  I feel closer to God when I read a book like this.  And the references to prayer makes you want to pray right along with them in the midst of their struggles.

This book was provided by Booksneeze for my review; the opinions are mine.

The Sky Beneath My Feet

     The Sky Beneath My Feet

By Lisa Samson

This book is basically about finding meaning in life - whether young or old, mother or father, pastor or layman, poor or wealthy. Beth's life is turned upside down when her pastor husband is given a sabbatical and he goes into his man cave to pray. She is left to handle two teenage boys on her own. There is quite a cast of neighbors and friends who get involved until on a trip to the beach she sorts things out. 

It took me a few minutes to get into the story but then I didn't want to put it down. There are many twists and turns and surprises, most of which I didn't see coming. The discussion of faith, styles of worship, and ministry opportunities was quite interesting and I thought unusual. The story covered a variety of issues including family relationships and social issues and a quest for God. . It was certainly thought provoking and an enjoyable read. 

 

Booksneeze provided a complimentary copy of this book for review. .

Threads of Grace

Threads of Grace

By Kelly Long

Grace was forced to marry an older man to pay the debts her father owed to the man.  He was very abusive to her and when he died nine years later she left the area to get away from his brother.  Her life was complicated because she had a young son who was autistic.  She fell and injured her ankle and had to stay with the neighbors who had a handsome son who was attracted to her and was very kind to her son.   Will she ever really love Seth, although she marries him to save herself and her son from her deceased husband’s brother?

I enjoyed this book and would like to read more by this author.  I especially appreciated the understanding shown for an autistic child.  This book also speaks to anyone who has ever been in an abusive relationship – and of the healing that must take place to be able to trust in a healthy relationship.  The message was very inspiring and entertaining.  It was quite a different approach to Amish life than many books I have read and was very positive about the Amish way of life.  I received this book for the purpose of review. The opinions are my own.

Come to the Table

Loved it loved it!  But then I have loved every one of Neta Jackson's books. I love the way she incorporates prayer - which teaches me how to pray. I eve find myself starting to pray for the people in the book as their needs seem so real and I can place myself eight in their group. Sometimes I wish Avis Doglass could actually pray for me. This book would be a great read for a new Christian as it is a wonderful story yet would disciple the reader. I highly recommend it.