Back Roads to Belonging: Unexpected Paths to Finding Your Place and Your People by Kristen Strong

My edition: Kindle Owned
Pages: 209
Stand Alone
Genre: Self help, Christian
Publish: August 6th, 2019
Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

At one time or another, shifting seasons in family, friendships, employment, and communities will bring each of us face-to-face with the feeling of being on the outside looking in. Because we are made for connection, this will often lead us down one of two roads. Either we will hop on the popular but crowded highway that asks us to do whatever it takes to get noticed, or we’ll stand still, paralyzed by the fear that we’re not important, loveable, or worth other people’s time and attention.

But what if there is another way? With an understanding voice that will speak into your own circumstances, Kristen Strong walks beside you along the less traveled but more satisfying third way–the back road way–to belonging: remaining in Christ and relaxing into the unique role God has for you. Along the way, you will learn simple, doable actions that not only will help you feel and know that you belong but will welcome others in as well.

Review:

I joined a book club that was started by a person I follow on Instagram. This is the first book that is being read. (You can find the book club on Facebook. Flourishing Book Club)

Growing up and well to be honest still to this day, I have a feeling of not belonging. I have always felt that people tolerate me rather than actually try to get to know me. I’m still surprised I have Wy and he’s stayed this long.

I have always believed in God but I haven’t had the best relationship with Him. I’m striving to fix that, which brings me to this book club. It’s for women who can come together and read and pray as one.

I don’t think I have ever had so many highlights in a book before. Strong hit on topics I battle through constantly. I always have felt like people just tolerate me and I don’t really belong. Strong helped me open my eyes that I do belong and I should let discouraging words bring me down.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

For those struggling to fit in, our very specific and creative God asks us to abandon the loud boulevard of attention-demanding behaviors for the byways of remaining in Christ and relaxing into the unique role he has for each of us.

At the heart of the matter, we fear we don’t belong because something is intrinsically wrong with us. We’re too this or not enough that to find our place where we’re welcomed as we are for who we are.

Yes, you belong. Yes, you belong. Yes, you belong.

So, if something doesn’t fit within our communities, it’s more likely either it isn’t supposed to or it doesn’t fit yet.

Because God didn’t abandon Job, and he won’t abandon us either.

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa

My edition: Kindle owned
Pages: 381
Series: The Four Horseman #1
Genre: Fantasy, Dystonia
Publish: Sep 14th, 2018
Rating: 4.5 stars

Synopsis:

They came to earth—Pestilence, War, Famine, Death—four horsemen riding their screaming steeds, racing to the corners of the world. Four horsemen with the power to destroy all of humanity. They came to earth, and they came to end us all.

When Pestilence comes for Sara Burn’s town, one thing is certain: everyone she knows and loves is marked for death. Unless, of course, the angelic-looking horseman is stopped, which is exactly what Sara has in mind when she shoots the unholy beast off his steed.

Too bad no one told her Pestilence can’t be killed.

Now the horseman, very much alive and very pissed off, has taken her prisoner, and he’s eager to make her suffer. Only, the longer she’s with him, the more uncertain she is about his true feelings towards her … and hers towards him.

And now, well, Sara might still be able to save the world, but in order to do so, she’ll have to sacrifice her heart in the process.

Review:

Pestilence, his crown perched upon his brow. War, with his steel blade held high. Famine, a scythe and scales at hand. And Death, blighted Death, his dark wings folded at his back, a torch of bilious smoke tight in his grip.

The Horsemen have come to earth. The first rounds of death happened. All technology almost ceased to exist. Then they left. For five years no one had seen or heard from a Horseman till Pestilence came back.

Sara Burns pulled the burnt match between her and her companions. It’s up to her to stop Pestilence. Come to find out, he can’t die. For punishment in trying to kill Pestilence, Sara is now his prisoner.

I liked the growth between Pestilence and Sara. At first I wasn’t really excited to read this as much as her other books I have read. I am going to read War next. Hopefully it’s just as good as this one.

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

My edition: Kindle Owned
Pages: 305
Series: Rusk University #1
Genre: Sports Romance, Football
Publish: May 13, 2014
Rating: 3.5

Synopsis:

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That’s what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn’t always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It’s obliterated.

Dallas doesn’t know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn’t know that Dallas is his new coach’s daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

Review:

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

page 1

I don’t know how many books and movies I’ve read where the scene takes place in one of the Southern states that revolves around football. As much as I love a football romance, I rarely watch the game. I’ll watch the Steelers every now and then, but I am not a die hard fan. I’ll root for any team, except the Patriots and the Broncos.

I didn’t know what to think of Dallas. For most of the book I didn’t like her. She was whiny at one moment then was likable the next.

I liked Carson. He was very likable. Once they finally brought their relationship out to the open, they were a cute couple.

I recommend this for anyone who likes sports romance.