Levi's Will--A book review for Bethany House Publishing company

Will (Mullet) McGruder made a mistake. He shamed his father, his family and friends, and himself. This single mistake put Will under the Amish ban, and led him down a road of trial, test, tribulation, and the Refiner's fire.
When he left his Amish lifestyle behind and traded Mullet for McGruder as his name, Will became a different man...on the outside. But his upbringing held true in his heart, and as he found later, in his relationship with his own son. He soon discovered that he was being the father that he, himself, had become bitter against in his youth. His relationship with his own son was a saddening reflection of the relationship Will had with his Father, Levi Mullet.
On the road of life, Will turned to the Father of love and mercy, Jesus Christ. Then he knew he had to travel yet another difficult journey...the road home to his past, to seek the forgiveness of his family, and to make things right.
Will he be able to break the generational chain of father/son tensions and restore his relationship with his father, Levi, and breach the gap that has grown between himself and his own son before it is too late?
This is a wonderful story that shares a light on the long road to forgiveness from people, and yet a reminder that the mercies of God are readily available when we but fall to our knees and ask for His forgiveness?
Cramer takes the reader on a journey with down-to-earth, real-life, experiences and problems that real people face today: mistakes, pain, heartache, fear, mercy, forgiveness, love, joy, happiness, and sacrifice.
A recommended read for anyone!!

Book Review for A Voice in the Wind

Broken, scarred, and empty of all but fear and sorrow, Hadassah has witnessed the destruction of her beloved Jerusalem, lost her family, her freedom, and fears for her very life. Struggling every step of the way, both physically and spiritually, she miraculously survives the journey from Palestine to Rome. But it is her arrival to Rome when the real test of faith begins.

Julia Valarian is the daughter of one of the richest merchants in the empire, yet she is unsatisfied with life. She is passionate, emotional, and selfish. She longs to be free like her brother, Marcus, and enjoy life. When Hadassah was presented to her as her personal slave, Julia was, at first, mortified. A plain, prudent Jew, as her slave, would make her the ridicule of her peers. But when life begins to change for Julia, in marriage, deaths, illness, deceit, and abandonment, her loyal servant is the one person Julia clings to. But will her distrust for others ruin her faith in the loyalty of her slave?

Marcus Valarian, Julia's older brother, loves women, social gatherings, wine, and the games. One cannot be Roman if one does not attend the games, and Marcus is Roman. His desire is to live well, become more wealthy than his father, and enjoy life for what it is: entertainment. But all of his ideals come crashing down at his feet with one person, his little sister's Jewish slave, Hadassah. When he discovers that she is not only a Jew, but a Christian, Marcus tries to save Hadassah from the fate that befalls Christians in Rome, but she does not recant. Her love for God has become her strength. Her faith has become life. God has not deserted her, and she will not deny Him. Will her God be the death of Hadassah, or will she reach the souls of this family, God has sent her to serve, in time?

Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors, and I feel that even what I have written above does NOT do her book justice! She fills the story with emotion and drama. Every time I open this book (for I've read it more than a few times) I am drawn into ancient Jerusalem, Rome, and Ephesus. The characters of this book come alive and I feel that I am a part of the story. Hadassah's struggle within herself reminds me of the spiritual struggles people endure today. Fear is the hardest thing to overcome, especially fear of the unknown. Hadassah faced her deepest fears, and God was with her. An awesome book you don't want to pass up!

I wanted my first blog to be of something inspirational. Here it is:

This is a poem I wrote a few months ago for a friend who's daughter was fighting cancer.

As Spring gives way to Summer,

Flowers bloom in brilliant color,

And the Sun beams bright from heaven above.

In the shade under Summer’s tree,

I think of all He’s done for me,

And I am so thankful for His love.

As Summer fades into Fall,

Words cannot describe all,

The beauty that covers the land.

And as I sit under Autumn’s tree,

I think of all He’s done for me,

And I’m thankful He holds me in His hand.

The Autumn breeze becomes Winter’s wind,

The days grow short and quickly end,

And I wonder what the future may bring.

But as I gaze out at Winter's tree,

I remember all He’s done for me,

And in this darkness He gives me strength to sing.

Then the Winter snow becomes Springtime rain,

And life returns to everything,

And the Sun dries Winter’s tears from my face.

Now I dance around Springtime’s tree,

Thanking God for all He’s done for me,

Knowing I would not be here, but for His grace.

Even when the Seasons change,

God will always be the same,

And no matter what trials come my way,

I can just lean on the rugged tree,

Where He bled and died for me,

And I know He hears me when I pray.

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall,

When it seems you life’s gone wrong,

It can end well, just watch and see.

Come with me to the rugged cross,

Where he heals the sick and saves the lost,

He can break your chains and set you free.

Here, at the foot of Season’s Tree.