The Waiting Heart by Kimberly Rae Jordan

The Waiting Heart by Kimberly Rae Jordan. Kindle Edition. 2013. 264p. (AISN: B00H2NIMB2) Series: Those Karlsson Boys, #3

A few months ago I came across this author, discovered she grew up as a MK (missionary kid) and within a few days had read just about everything she’s written that was available on Amazon. Last week book three in the series Those Karlsson Boys became available. It was a good conclusion to an enjoyable series.

Goodreads Summary:

A family crisis brings Jace Karlsson back to Minnesota and face to face with the girl he loved and abandoned eight years earlier. When the opportunity arises to help her, he hopes that it will make amends for his actions of the past. But old feelings die hard, and Jace soon realizes he feels more than guilt and remorse.

While the tragic accident left Mari with a broken and scarred body, it was Jace Karlsson's abrupt departure from her life that left her heart shattered. When he offers to help her realize a dream, Mari accepts but as she deals with the emotions of the past and the present, she wonders if the price is too high.

My Review:

Each book in this series focuses on a different man in the Karlsson family. The first two take place relatively close together in time but this one is eight years down the road so it’s neat to see how the others are doing and how their lives have progressed. Though I think this could be read as a standalone since the author does a good job in bringing in the back story.

Book one could be read after book three without any major spoilers, but you’d already know the main parts of book two if you read book three first. But at 99 cents apiece (as of 12/8/13) there isn’t much excuse not to read this enjoyable series in order.

There are several aspects that make these books so enjoyable. First off, they’re clean and sweet, yet they also deal with real problems in today’s world. Teenage pregnancy, car accidents, hackers, cancer, adoption, and the inability to have children are all issues that the characters in this series have to deal with and work through in the series.

The romance isn’t rushed and has a very real life feel. Lessons of trust, love, commitment, and laying aside personal dreams and ideas must be processed and learned.

The third thing I really like about this series is the way the author ties in prayer and the Bible. It’s not every preachy, there aren’t long sermons; it’s just naturally a part of the character’s lives.

If you enjoy contemporary Christian romance then this is a series for you.

Go read it! Buy the series from Amazon – each book is currently (12/8/13) on sale for $0.99: Book 1: Worth the Wait; Book 2: Waiting for Rachel; Book 3: The Waiting Heart

Disclosure: I bought this book and the others in the series. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Waiting on Wednesday #12 - Tangled Ashes

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Tangled Ashes by Michelle Phoenix
Tyndale - October 2012

About
When Marshall Becker arrives in Lamorlaye, France, to begin the massive renovation of a Renaissance-era castle, he unearths a dark World War II history few in the village remember. The project that was meant to provide an escape for Becker instead becomes a gripping glimpse into the human drama that unfolded during the Nazi occupation and seems to live on in midnight disturbances and bizarre acts of vandalism.

Why I want to read it

I have greatly enjoyed Michelle's blog about MKs (missionary kids). Her insights are thought provoking and she's a good writer. I didn't know she was also a published author; this is her fourth novel. This story sounds quite interesting and since the author has lived in France and Germany I'm sure she captures the setting very well.

Where you can find it

Amazon and ChristianBooks

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow

Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker. Harper, 2011. 272p. (978-0062007285)

I read this last summer and am writing this review completely from memory. Since the Super Bowl is tomorrow (yes, I know, the Broncos aren’t playing) I figured I ought to review a football book, and since this is the most recent football related book that I’ve read, I figured it was appropriate. Especially since the only other one is the novel Hometown Legend by Jerry B. Jenkins that I read back in high school. (A fun novelization of the movie.) Plus Tebow has been discussed quite a lot in the past few months.

I really don’t care about American football, but I actually requested this book from the library before it came out. Why? Because Tim Tebow is a missionary kid (and a homeschooler). I was hoping to learn more about that aspect of his life but his family returned to the States when he was still quite young – around age three or four if my memory serves me correctly. So naturally he doesn’t remember much about living overseas, but it still influenced his life – his dad travelled there frequently, he went there on a mission trip in high school, and his foundation is helping orphans there.

Instead, and rightly so, the book focuses on his football career. How his love and passion for the sport developed while a kid, how much time he spent in high school developing his skills, how he agonized over what college to attend and then his college career. I’m sure it also talks about his move to the NFL and his games there but I really can’t remember much about that part of the book.

Through My Eyes tells a lot about what goes on off the field. All the training and exercise, perseverance and dedication, self-discipline and focus that is necessary to play at that level. It’s no wonder the apostle Paul uses athletes as an example of how we should live a Christian life – focused on Jesus Christ.

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV84)

Tim Tebow’s great work ethic and dedication to his training are very evident throughout his book and Paul mentions the strict training athletes subject themselves to, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1Corinthians 9:24-25 NIV84) And Tim Tebow knows that there is “a crown that will last forever” and he is running hard in that race as well.

I enjoyed this book – even if the football details got to be a bit too much at times. His drive, determination and his love for Christ is inspiring.

Go read it! Wake County; Greene County; Find it at a library near you; Buy it from CBD

P.S. An edition of his book recently came out for younger readers, Through My Eyes: A Quarterbacks Journey And I like this book cover better because you can actually read (and notice) the title.