Christmas Jars Reunion by Jason F. Wright


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I found this book to be just as good as the first. Our main character, Hope, has taken Christmas Jars to a whole new level. It's become more of a ministry. She has encouraged everyone in her community to take part of it, but loses sight of what is really important. The meaning of the Christmas Jar.

One of my favorite quotes in this book is 'One Jar. One Life. One Savior.' We are helped to remember that giving to those in need doesn't have to become a huge production. Once that happens, you lose sight of what the meaning really is. I loved the moral of this book. It's not about how manu jars you can fill or how much money is collected. It's about the blessings of giving to the receiver as well as the giver.

View all my reviews >>

The Awakening and The Struggle by L.J. Smith


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Alright, I only read the first book of the volume, The Awakening and it was too teenagery for me. More so that Twilight. I have been watching the tv show as well, andI find the show to be way better than the books.

About two brothers, Stephan ad Damon who have been vampires since the 15th century and have a very unhealthy, love/hate relationship with each other over a girl they both loved. The same girl who turned them into vampires. Now they are in the 20th century, book originally written in 1991, and Stephan is trying to blend in.

The main girl, Elena, is portrayed in the show as a down to earth, smart and sweet girl where as in the book she is portrayed and a stuck up snob. And I don't see either vsmpire, Stephan or Damon going for someone like that. Stephan is in love with her. He is prortrayed and calm, cool, has it together. In the book, he's a pansy.

I just could not bare to read another page. It follows the same somewhat storyline as Twilight. Stephan is a "vegetarian" and falls in love with a human girl, but not so needy as Bella. And Damon only wants human blood and wreaks havoc in the small town they have set up in. But the Twilight series is so much better than this series, as far as the book goes.I think I'll just stick with the tv show for now.

View all my reviews >>

The Shepherd's Song by Larry Barkdull


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was very uplifting and truly brought in the Christmas Spirit.

A poor, humble shepherd, named Joshua, is expecting his first child. His wife was lost two before and may lose this third one along with her own life. Joshua decide's to make the long journey to the temple in Jerusalem to pray and offer a sacrifice for his wife. Along the way he meets different people who who are in need during the horrid tax season. He gives of himself selflessly to those who are in need of his help.

On his way home, he encounters the angels who sing of Christ's birth and goes with the other shepherds to to witness the birth whike carrying his heavy burden. As soon as he witness's this birth and the sacred child, he is free of all burden as he holds this precious child.

It was so interesting to read this book taken from the perspective of a humble shepherd.

View all my reviews >>

Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I found this book to be very uplifting and inspiring. It's a wonderful read to help anyone get into the Christmas spirit.

A young reporter, Hope, has been given a wonderful gift that has blessed her lives in more ways than she could ever imagine. A jar full of money. Being the reporter that she is, she want's to get to the bottom of the Christmas Jar and write the story of a lifetime.

She come in contact with a family who has started th tradition on the Christmas Jar. She weedle's herself into their lives, portraying herself as a reporter for a local college. But instead of a story, she finds familial love and a family who takes her in as her own.

This is a short book and can be read in a few hours, but you need some tissues. It will pull at the heartstrings, but give you a warm feeling inside.

View all my reviews >>