Saturday, August 15, 2015

Book Review - Wild in the Hollow

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Amber Haines is a woman haunted by God. Like Eve in the Garden, she craved the fruit that she thought would lead her to freedom. But the whispers of temptation led her instead down a devastating path toward isolation, dissatisfaction, and life-altering choices. In her most broken moment, Amber met God waiting for her in the fallout, freely offering her grace and life.

This is a story of the God who makes himself known in broken places. In prose that is at once lyrical and utterly honest, a brave new voice takes readers on a windswept journey down the path of brokenness to healing, satisfaction, and true intimacy with God. Amber calls readers to dispense with the pretty bows we use to dress up our stories and instead trust God to take our untidy, unfinished lives and make them free, authentic, and whole. Anyone who struggles with doubt or holds secrets, anyone who feels marginalized or like she is missing something, will find in Amber a sister and an inviting voice back home, into the heart of God.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amber C. Haines is a soulful writer and a blogger at TheRunaMuck.com. She is curator, with her husband, Seth, of Mother Letters and is a contributor with many acclaimed writers and bloggers at DaySpring's (in)courage. She has been involved as a coordinator with both BlissDom and !dea Camp Orphan Care and continues to build meaningful relationships with church leaders, lifestyle bloggers, authors, advocates, and poets. She lives in Arkansas.

MY REVIEW:

This book touched me in such deep ways and in such deep places. It's hard to put into words how much this book affected me. Let's just say I loved it from the first to the last page.

Amber writes from a place of gut wrenching honesty and, at times, I just wanted to look away because it was written from a place I know well. The place of anxiety and wondering if I'm enough, if what I'm doing is enough, and of trying to fill it with everything but Jesus. She speaks to my heart in a way that only another person who is on the journey can speak. I understood exactly where she was coming from and admire her for being so willing to share her whole heart.

She was at her very lowest point when she cried out to God for help and He answered her. This book is about her journey from that low point to the point of realizing that Jesus is all she needs. He is enough. She takes us on many detours as she gets to this point and I'm sure, like me, you'll recognize those detours. Her struggles as she fights the anxieties that come her way and hard times like when her youngest son gets horribly sick.

My very favorite part of the book is where she talks about the church and what it's meant to be. How we are lacking in what it should be in America. I knew that I was feeling these same feelings for a long time, but she was able to put into writing what I have for a long time felt. She inspired me to start with myself in making my church better. 

I have to say I just savored this book page by page. Amber's writing is so very beautiful - almost poetic - and the beauty of her writing just draws you in. I was so touched by her fantastic style of writing and I hated to see the end of the book because it was so amazing. This really is a must read book for any woman who wants to draw closer to Jesus. I encourage you to buy this book today! This book will be staying on the forefront of my bookshelf so I can revisit it again and again. It's just that good! I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Baker Publishing


Blessings - Julie

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