March Movie Madness

Picture by Andrea Cox

While other folks are hosting college basketball watch parties for March Madness, I'll be hosting a new reading challenge here on Writing to Inspire.

In January, we read books from our ever-growing to-be-read piles.

For February's reading challenge, we read books that were all about love.

This month, I thought we'd have a bit of fun. There will be two phases to this challenge. The second one is optional.

The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

As promised last week, today I'm bringing you my review for Lindsay Harrel's second book, The Heart Between Us.

I received an early e-copy from NetGalley, but a positive review was not required.

Heart by the Bucketful

This is Lindsay Harrel's second book, and it's becoming evident to me that her trademark is going to be incredibly deep character journeys. This book, as the title suggests, is full of heart. From beginning to end, the passion for life and figuring out one's faith and laying down one's fears make this journey one worth taking... several times. The fact that communication being key to relationships was featured made me smile and fall in love with this book even more. I've been saying for years that communication is crucial for any relationship to be successful, and it's wonderful when that outlook is emphasized and even featured in a fictional book.

Another fantastic aspect to this story is all the travel. From Rome to Australia to Greece to Peru -- not to mention a couple of stops in the good ol' U.S. of A. -- this book came alive with atmosphere, culture, and adventure. I really should get a passport and save up some money for international traveling, because Ms. Harrel made each location seem like the ideal vacation spot.

If I'm Honest

There’s a song by Francesca Battistelli that speaks of being honest, laying our fears and secrets down at the cross, and finding healing in God’s love. It’s what I’m borrowing the title of this article from, and it’s part of the inspiration for what follows. If you like to listen to music while you read, be sure your volume’s turned up and click the below video before moving on to the next paragraph.

“Not one to wear her heart on her sleeve—at all.”

~ The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel ~

Wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve is all about being vulnerable and sharing the deepest part of oneself. I’m not always great at either. Yet, here I am, typing up this gut-deep article. The way I see it, if I can’t be honest with myself and with you, then what’s the point of writing at all?

Oh, trust me: All the rest of my articles prior to this point (and afterward) have been (and will be) honest. But I haven’t always dug very deep. I haven’t always made myself be very vulnerable with you.

It’s hard to put myself out there, to say what’s moving my heart in monumental ways. It’s even tougher to admit what’s holding me back.

Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke

Continuing the WWII reading journey I've been on lately, I'm currently reading Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke. I'm halfway through it and really enjoying it, heartbreaking as it is. Since my review for that one isn't ready for you yet (I have to finish the book first!), I want to share my review of another of Ms. Gohlke's WWII novels. She is quickly becoming a new favorite author of mine for gut-wrenching historical fiction stories. I hope you'll give her a try next time you're in the mood for some wonderful WWII fiction.

Compassion in Nazi Germany

"I would rather die for something than live for nothing."
~ Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke

Sacrifice. Selflessness. Compassion.

Do you see these things played out in today's society? They are difficult to find, I'll admit, but they are still there.

But were they around in Hitler's Germany?

The Melody of the Soul by Liz Tolsma + Giveaway!

Lately, I've been on a WWII reading kick. There are so many great books in this particular part of the historical fiction genre. One book I recently had the pleasure of reading was The Melody of the Soul by Liz Tolsma. It was my second of Ms. Tolsma's books, but it definitely won't be the last. She creates beautiful, detailed stories that make me weep and laugh and hope, sometimes all within the same scene.

Be sure to stay tuned through the end of the article, because there's a GIVEAWAY to celebrate the release of this book.

DISCLOSURE: I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, authors, and sites like Netgalley, Litfuse Publicity Group, and Blogging for Books. They do not require me to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Bravery in the Face of Fear

What a powerful, exquisite story. It was gripping, emotional, and heartrending. From the very first line, it was immersive and well expressed. The beautiful setting of Prague, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic and Slovakia), came alive with the inclusion of the Charles Bridge and other sights, sounds, and scents. The heartbreaking setting of Theresienstadt Concentration Camp also came alive with the stench, frailty of the inhabitants, and cruelty of the German guards. My heart squeezed every time one of the characters was in that place.

All About Love + February's Reading Challenge

Romance. Love. Valentines.

February is the month in which we celebrate the passionate side of life. It's when we're more in tune to those we love and the hints they give out for what will bring them joy. We love to get a little sneaky and plan a few happy surprises for our closest loved ones.

As you may have figured out by some of my previous articles, I am single, which means Valentine's Day is bittersweet for me. Honestly, it's usually just another day on the calendar, another day of work if it doesn't fall on a weekend, and another chance to work on a book or read a book or watch a few movies if it does happen to be on a Saturday or Sunday.

However, I have my own way of celebrating the love I carry within me. This love is for my future husband, wherever and whoever he may be, but it's also a fountain of love for my God. He is my first Love, and it is important to me to remember, celebrate, and apply the love for Him He has given me. He pours His love into my heart so that I may pour it right back into His. It's an exquisite circle of love that I have been exploring more and more in recent months. I plan to delve even deeper into it in the years He may continue to provide for me.

Those Who've Come Before

by Andrea Renee Cox

As I'm working on the Bible study God's called me to pen, I've been thinking about those studies I've worked through and appreciated that were written by other authors. I only got into Bible studies and nonfiction books about biblical topics a few years ago. While I've collected enough of them to keep me busy for a decade, I've only read through a a handful or so in the last three or four years.

Stay tuned to the end of this article. I'll be asking for your advice!

Here are some of the books that have made a positive impact on me. They are written by authors I admire, ones I've gleaned knowledge from as I've read their books. It is my hope that the Bible study I'm working on will someday make a similar impact on the hearts and lives of my fellow nonfiction readers.