Monday, October 12, 2015

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe by Max Lucado



Goodreads Summary

What if you could ask God anything? What would you ask? And how would He answer?

Chelsea Chambers is on her own. After a public split from her NFL superstar husband, Chelsea takes a bold step out of the limelight and behind the counter of the Higher Grounds Cafe, an old-fashioned coffee shop in dire need of reinvention. But when her courage, expert planning, and out-of-this-world cupcakes fail to pay the bills, this newly single mom finds herself desperate for help. Better yet, a miracle.

Then a curious stranger lands at Chelsea s door, and with him, an even more curious string of events. Soon, customers are flocking to the Higher Grounds Cafe, and not just for the cupcakes and cappuccino. They ve come for the internet connection to the divine. Now the cafe has become the go-to place for people in search of answers to life s biggest questions.


When a catastrophe strikes and her ex comes calling, Chelsea begins to wonder if the whole universe is conspiring against her quest to make it on her own. After a shocking discovery opens her eyes to the unseen world around her, Chelsea finds the courage to ask God a question of her own. Heaven answers in a most unexpected way."


My Thoughts

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe is the first book by Max Lucado that I have read.  It is also the first "angel" book that I've read.  I'll be honest, when I first realized that there was an angel in the story I was a bit skeptical.  However, the more I read the more I enjoyed it.

The plot was pretty good and, as a matter of fact, it actually felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie...if that makes any sense.  Some little things in the storyline seemed kind of obvious to me, like I wasn't surprised by several things in the book.  But, even with the somewhat expected plot, I really did enjoy this book.

It was a very inspiring book.  Not at all preachy, just nice and uplifting.  I can already think of several people who would love to read this book.  I'll be recommending it for sure!

*Note: I received a copy of this book from BookLookBloggers.com in exchange for an honest review.

The Time Garden by Daria Song


Goodreads Summary

A dazzlingly beautiful coloring book for all ages, The Time Garden will sweep you away into a whimsical cuckoo clock-inspiried world, created in intricate pen and ink by the internationally best-selling Korean artist Daria Song.

Journey through the doors of a mysterious cuckoo clock into its inky inner workings to discover a magical land of clock gears, rooftops, starry skies, and giant flying owls- all ready for you to customize with whatever colors you can dream up.

Cuckoo...cuckoo...cuckoo...When the clock strikes midnight, you'll wonder, was it all a dream?

The Time Garden features extra-thick craft paper, ideal for non bleed-through coloring, and the jacketed cover with flaps is removable and colorable.  Special gold-foil stamping on the cover and spine and a To/From page make it perfect for gifting to adults and kids alike.

Then, explore the magical world outside the clock through the eyes of a fairy in the sequel, The Time Chamber: A Magical Story and Coloring Book!


My Thoughts

It has been such a long time since I owned a coloring book!  I am so excited!  I absolutely love it!

The illustrations are so gorgeous and detailed.  I just love them! And, since the pages are extra thick craft paper I am able to paint some of the pages with acrylic paints or watercolors too.

I have been wanting to by a coloring book like this for a while now so I was extra excited when I received it.  It really is so lovely.  I already have, and will continue to recommend picking up The Time Garden.

*Note: I received a copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.