The Legacy, by Dan Walsh & Gary Smalley

Title: The Legacy

Series: The Restoration Series (Book 4)

Authors: Dan Walsh & Gary Smalley

Publisher: Revell

Date: April 7, 2015

Paperback: 336 pages








About the Book
For years, Doug Anderson has been drifting slowly but steadily away from both his family and his faith. His parents have been trying to reach him before he falls too far. His friend Christina hopes what she is seeing online isn't true. But sometimes you have to hit bottom before you're ready to grow up.

Just as things begin to settle down a bit, Doug's life takes a turn that requires every bit of faith and patience for both his family and Christina--whose growing feelings for Doug, a man who writes her off as not worth his time, keep her off balance. Will Doug's crisis finally clear his vision and help him focus on what he has right in front of him?


My Take

The Legacy is the 4th book in The Restoration Series. I didn't have the chance to read books one and two, but I did read book number three and found it to be a very good story. There is a connection between all of them and if you read them from beginning to end, it will make a lot more sense. When reading book #4, I had forgotten about the connection between #3. But after I realized what the connection was, it made it even more enjoyable to read. 

At the beginning of the book, you will find a text from Luke 15:20 about a father seeing his son and still having a ton of love for him as they approach each other. It kind of gives you an idea about what the story is going to be about. 

Doug is the youngest child in the Anderson family who is away at college but periodically comes home to visit. He does not have as strong of a relationship with the Lord as he once had or as his parents would want him to have. During some people's college years is when they are trying to find out who they really are and what they want to do with their life, and that is exactly what Doug was doing. There are things he is engaging in that he is trying to keep from his family, knowing that they would not approve of it, until he gets caught and has to truly examine the two lives he is trying to live. But sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom for people to realize what is truly going on in their lives and that is what happens to Doug. 

This was an amazing story. Like I stated before, if you read all four in a row, it will be even better, even though this one can hold its own. You will not want to put it down until you find out how it is going to end. I know that is how I felt. So, grab a blanket and a cup of tea and enjoy a great read.

About the Authors

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Dance and The Promise with Gary Smalley, as well as The Unfinished Gift, The Discovery, and The Reunion. He has won three Carol Awards, and two of his novels were finalists for RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year for 2011 and 2012. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. Visit www.danwalshbooks.com for more.

Gary Smalley is one of the country's best known authors and speakers on family relationships. He is the bestselling and award-winning author or coauthor of 16 books, along with several popular films and videos. He has spent over 30 years learning, teaching, and counseling, speaking to over 2 million people in live conferences. Smalley has appeared on national television programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, Extra, The Today Show, and The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, as well as numerous national radio programs. Gary and his wife, Norma, have been married for 50 years and live in Branson, Missouri. They have three children and six grandchildren.


This complimentary book was given to me by Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Sand in My Sandwich, by Sarah Parshall Perry

Title: Sand in My Sandwich: And Other Motherhood Messes I'm Learning to Love

Author: Sarah Parshall Perry

Publisher: Revell

Date: March 17, 2015

Paperback: 224 pages

About the Book

You know that thing when you're in Walmart at noon before you discover you haven't brushed your teeth? Sarah Parshall Perry gets that. She also gets weird things showing up in her bed, her daughter requesting war paint, and her son crawling into a giant blue sock on Christmas morning. Sometimes, she gets that conflicted feeling of finding her kids hanging out in the dog's cage and realizing that, yes, dog cages are not for people, but . . . they have stopped getting into trouble.

According to Perry, "The hardest stuff is the quickest way to God." And if the systematic destruction of her carefully planned life is any indication, she's on the fast track to sainthood! A mother of three children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum, she has experienced plenty of ups and downs. But from the chaos of her "ordinary" life, she pulls truth packed with humor, poignancy, and a naked honesty that will make you realize you are not alone in this delightfully messy thing called motherhood. 

My Take

When I first saw this book, I figured it would be an interesting read. But what I didn't realize is how much I would enjoy reading it. Seeing how she has two kids with special needs, I thought that there were some things that I could relate with her. I personally don't have a child with autism, but mine does have ADHD and we have tons of moments like she does with her kids in this book. When I read her reaction to certain situations, I was like, "yes, I am not the only mother who reacts that way". It made me feel a lot better. Some of the things that her boys have gone through, my child has gone through and to read her emotional ups and downs and how she relies on God to get her through, gives me hope.

The one thing I like most about Mrs. Perry's style of writing is that it is very light. I love how she can find the humour in most ordinary things. It gives me a sense of relaxation. It makes me take a look at life in a different way. I also enjoyed how she places a Bible text at the beginning of every chapter. It shows her dedication to God.

I guarantee if you pick this book up, you will not put it down until you have finished reading it. You will enjoy it from beginning to end.

About the Author

Sarah Parshall Perry (JD, University of Virginia School of Law) is a wife and mother of three young children. She is the coauthor of When the Fairy Dust Settles (with her mother, Janet Parshall) and the author of numerous magazine articles, award-winning short stories, and poetry. Sarah has served in youth ministry for over ten years and is currently writing for www.ChosenFamilies.org where she encourages other families living with disabilities. She lives in Maryland.

This complimentary book was given to my by Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Stolen, by Katariina Rosenblatt, PhD

Title: Stolen: The True Story of a Sex Trafficking Survivor

Author: Katariina Rosenblatt, PhD w/ Cecil Murphey

Publisher: Revell

Date: October 7, 2014

Paperback: 240 pages








About the Book
Katariina Rosenblatt was a lonely and abused young girl, yearning to be loved, wanting attention. That made her the perfect target. On an ordinary day, she met a confident young woman-someone Kat wished she could be like-who pretended to be a friend while slowly luring her into a child trafficking ring. A cycle of false friendships, threats, drugs, and violence kept her trapped.

As Kat shares her harrowing experiences, her ultimate escape, and her passionate efforts to now free other victims, you"ll see that not only is sex trafficking happening frighteningly close to home-it's also something that can be stopped. Stolen is a warning, a celebration of survival, and a beacon of hope that will inspire you.

My Take
First off, I am very critical when I read  books. I tend to see them as more than just a story. I have a bad habit of critiquing books while I read them. It is just what I do. I love reading and do enjoy different styles, but sometimes have a harder time with some over others. This unfortunately is what happened with this book. Don't get me wrong, the story is an amazing one. For someone to come out of a situation as strong as Katariina did says a lot but, it's just her way of writing her story that I felt came across like somewhat of a mix between a book and a lecture. I also felt at times she jumped around too much. Like I said, sometimes I can be very critical, and in this case this is what happened.

I do feel as though Katariina is a very strong person. To have had a full life filled with one heartbreak after another, most people wouldn't be able to say 'I made it and I am here to stay'. But her will, strength and trust in God brought her through her tough moments and had her come out on top a true survivor.

While thinking about sex trafficking, I don't tend to think of it as happening in the United States. That is probably where a lot of us go wrong. We tend to think it is something that happens in other countries, so our children won't necessarily become victims to it. This story let me know that it is right in our "backyard". I also learned that it is not necessarily just "street" prostitution that kids get sold into. It can be a friend, neighbour or just someone you least expect. Stolen, shows us that we need to keep an eye on our children and make sure we know who they are hanging around and what they are doing. They may feel like we are overbearing, but I would rather be a somewhat overbearing person, than to have my child be sold into sex trafficking. And like she states in the book. More so than not, people don't tend to make it out and those that do make it out, don't tend to live past their twenties.

When you reach the end of the book, there is a section on how your church can start up a ministry to help others that are in need of help.

I think this is a book that most parents should read. Especially those who have the quieter type of children (which she mentions as prime targets).


About the Author

Katariina Rosenblatt, LLM, PhD, is living proof of the promise she heard long ago at a Billy Graham crusade that God would never forsake her. Katariina has PhD in conflict analysis and resolution and a LLM graduate law degree in intercultural human rights, and she works closely with law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and Homeland Security to eliminate human slavery. She also founded Stolen Ones - There Is H.O.P.E. For Me, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing other victims of human trafficking. For more information, visit www.StolenOnes.com. She lives in Florida.

Cecil Murphey has written or coauthored more than 130 books, including the bestselling 90 Minutes in Heaven with Don Piper and the autobiography of Franklin Graham, Rebel with a Cause. He was a collaborator on the bestseller Gifted Hands with Dr. Ben Carson. Cecil resides in Georgia.

This complimentary book was given to me by Revell for my honest review.