The Undertaker's Wife by Dee Oliver

This memoir details the courtship, marriage and widowhood of the author, as well as her work in funeral homes during and after her husband’s passing. The last few chapters offer guidelines about preparing for your own and others’ funerals, in addition to hints on how to minister to those who are bereaved. This book is easy to read. It was marginally enlightening concerning preparation for one’s own passing, encouraging the reader to leave a detailed letter concerning important documents, financial affairs, websites, wills, and funeral wishes. If you want helpful hints about writing an obituary, you can find them here. (These are also topics you could Google and find information at least as helpful; there’s nothing particularly insightful in these chapters.) In my opinion, this is your average book. Nothing about it is outstanding, from the author’s story to her helpful hints. If you are interested in a light look at what it was like to be courted by and then married to someone employed at a funeral home, then this is the book for you. It details the widow’s education in mortuary science and her employment at a funeral home as an intern with a few short chapters with the helpful hints at the end. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

A Warrior's Faith by Robert Vera

Ryan Job, Navy SEAL, was gravely injured by a sniper in Ramadi. His head wounds resulted in total blindness. This book tells the story of Ryan’s training to be a SEAL, demonstrating his character by enduring more and worse than most in order to qualify. After his near-fatal injury, Ryan slowly recovers and eventually marries. Ryan determines to be the best blind man he can be. He pursues athletics and friendships, eventually scaling Mount Rainier with the help of his friends and teammates. If you are curious about what it takes to be a Navy SEAL or what they are like, this book will fill in the gaps for you. If you want to read about an exemplary young man whose character was revealed in the crucible, this book is for you. If you want to be encouraged by a noble story, this book is for you. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

God's Story in 66 Verses by Stan Guthrie

From each of the 66 books of the Bible, the author chooses one key verse because “they most accurately represent the books in which they reside and Scripture as a whole,” and then includes a three-page summary of each book. Of course, this results in more detail being provided for shorter books and less for longer. Some summaries are strictly an overview of the book with no added commentary but much by way of quotation, such as the summary of Jude. Others include some commentary, such as the summary of Galatians, which included a definition of the “different gospel” by citing 3:1-5. Still others, such as Psalms, included categories, such literary features and human experience/need., as well as the royal psalms. All in all, the author does a good job of meeting his goal of “providing a brief commentary on every Bible book.” Those who are well acquainted with the Bible will not find this book as great a resource as those who are not. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Forever Mom by Mary Ostyn

This adoptive mom, with four biological and six adopted children, addresses very thoughtfully the issues adoptive families face. She tells her family’s story about their adoption journey, describing particularly the attachment challenges each child brought. Her book is full of helpful hints concerning thinking one’s way through and coming to grips with all manner of issues. The author frames her helpful book by beginning at her own door, telling the story of how each child came to be adopted by her family. She addresses the topic of helping children settle in and gives very practical help with regard to picking one’s battles. Nurturing children with patience, kindness, and grace is particularly emphasized, and the author covers topics large and small. Each chapter closes with a pertinent passage of Scripture, and biblical principles are emphasized throughout the book. This book was interesting and challenging from cover to cover. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the topic of adoption. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Orogram.

“The Reluctant Journey” by Richard Leslie Parrott

This fresh look at the lives and spiritual walks of Abraham, Jacob and Joseph is a treasure, as the lessons each patriarch learned are applied effectively to our everyday lives through well-written lessons and follow-up questions at the end of each chapter. Issues addressed include identifying God’s voice, evaluating God’s trustworthiness and ability, whether God is responsible for our trials, why our trials are ours, and the reasons for our trials. Interwoven with these questions, which are often addressed by other authors, are unique thoughts and insights about family dysfunction. These may be the book’s most valuable offerings. The author asks deep questions about us and our origins, helping us to see ourselves in the lives of Abraham, Jacob and Joseph, and helping us find answers for our most troubling issues. Scripture is used effectively throughout this interesting, challenging and informative book. The book is well written, missing the repetition so often found in expository writing today. I would recommend this book to anyone. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

David Wilkerson by Gary Wilkerson

"David Wilkerson" by son Gary Wilkerson is a thorough biography about the author of "The Cross and The Switchblade". It chronicles David's upbringing in a strict Pentecostal home, laying the foundation for the man he would become. The book carefully outlines David's beliefs and thinking as he grew up and most particularly emphasizes David's call from and walk with God throughout his life. The story is told chronologically and is clearly written. The book was challenging simply because of its subject, who walked with God boldly and decisively. David Wilkerson's personality was strong, and the narration of his life story was interesting. Biblical truth as David saw it was clearly communicated. This book was, however, overly long--300 pages. Only if you are extremely interested to know about David Wilkerson will you find the whole book interesting. If you are mildly interested, you will find it repetitive and long, as it seems to tell the same stories repeatedly. I would only recommend this book to those who are fascinated by David Wilkerson. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Redefining Leadership by Joseph Stowell

The author maintains that leadership is all about character, resulting in a leader who serves out of humility rather than position. Character, not outcome, is the key. John Maxwell says leadership is a gift. When it's treated as such, it becomes a stewardship rather than a position laden with expectations and rights. Real leaders follow, and they follow Jesus. John Maxwell says leadership's power is not to be used to bless oneself or to gain attention, affirmation and acclaim; rather, it is to be used to let go of perks and privileges, empty oneself of self, and lead by being a servant in humble obedience. This book was interesting and challenging, effectively citing Scripture to support the author's positions. The material was appealing and cohesive, although redundant in places, as so many books today are. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.