Unlocked

Unlocked is the beautiful story of Holden Harris, a teenage boy locked in the prison of autism and Ella Reynolds teenage drama star and daughter of a major league baseball player.

Ella and Holden had been friends as small children, before Holden began to slip away into his silent world at the age of three. As their parents’ friendship fades under the stress of Holden’s strangeness, Ella and Holden lose contact.

At the beginning of her senior year, Ella witnesses her boyfriend bullying a one of the special needs kids – one whose quirkiness frightens most. Later that same student stops outside her drama class, mesmerized by the music. As their friendship unfolds, God’s mighty power is made known in miraculous ways.

In this book, Kingsbury addresses some very tough teen issues, as well as things many adult women struggle with. From autism to bullying and suicide, these issues are dealt with thoroughly and biblically.

This book offers a rare glimpse into the world of autism.  Kingsbury offer a look inside the mind of an autistic teen with what it just might be like to be trapped inside your own mind. Though we really don’t know what it is like to be autistic, or what causes the strange behavior, reading this book will give you a much deeper understanding of people with autism.

This book is very powerfully written and I highly recommend it.

I must mention that a complimentary review copy was provided to me by Zondervan, but that in no way influenced my opinion of it.

You can read a sample here.

Take Three

Take Three is the third book in the Above the Line series. This is the continuing story of Christian filmmakers Keith Ellison and Chase Ryan. While their first film was a success, family problems and budget issues threaten the project.

This is a brilliantly written story that tugs at your heartstrings. The characters draw you into their lives and come alive to you. The issues they handle are issues that face many Christians and Kingsbury handles them in a biblical way that will encourage you in your walk with the Lord. The strong thread of faith weaves through the story just as Kingsbury readers have come to expect. 

For long time Kingsbury readers appearances from the Flannigans and the Baxters give you a glimpse into their continuing stories. However, if you have not read Karen Kingsbury previously, keeping track of all of the characters might prove to be difficult.

Overall, this was another homerun by Karen Kingsbury.

I must mention that I did receive a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl

Are you at a point in your Christian life where going to church, doing a Bible study, prayer, and "being good" just seem like things on a to-do list? Author Lysa TerKeurst understands.

In her book "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl" she gives readers a glimpse into her life as she shares her own struggles as a woman, a mother, a wife and a ministry leader.

All areas of our Christian life are covered: our hearts, our walk with God, our relationships, our struggles, our thoughts, and our calling. Lysa offers sound biblical advice on how we can grow in each of these areas to become women who honor and obey the Lord and reflect His love to those around us.

She is very open about her own shortcomings, many of which seem to be true of most women today.

The book is written in a very down-to-earth and easy to read style that makes it seem more like having a cup of coffee with an old friend than a study on spiritual growth.

You can purchase this book from Proverbs 31 Ministries or Amazon.com.