Let me begin by saying that the subtitle for When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams is “Hope for Today from 12 Women of the Bible”. Honestly, for me, the subtitle better expresses the book than the title. I love reading about women of the Bible, and this is a good one. So don’t be misled into thinking this is only for women who are disappointed in life. It’s much more than that.
Jill Eileen Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author of biblical fiction. She’s written a number of novel series and now steps into nonfiction. But her nonfiction title is actually a blend of fiction and nonfiction. Each chapter features one biblical woman and opens with a fictionalized first person account as that woman. Next, she relates the biblical woman’s experience to her own experiences and ours. Then another fictional biblical account, and finally a summary, thoughts to ponder, and questions for further reflection. The twelve women are Eve, Noah’s wife, Sarai, Hagar, Lot’s wife, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Dinah, and Potiphar’s wife.
I loved the way Jill Eileen Smith takes us into the minds of each of the women and helps us imagine what it must have been like for them as they struggled with guilt, disappointment, and discouragement. Then she gently leads us to words of hope and encouragement.
When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams can be enjoyed as a personal study or could work equally well as a group Bible study. It’s a pleasant read that will get you thinking about what it must have been like for the women of the Old Testament and will inspire you when you realize that the women of then weren’t much different from the women of today.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.
Hmm…looks interesting, I’m going to have to look into this!
Reading this made me want to check out her fiction titles. She really brings the women to life.
Hello, Sharon.
I’ve enjoyed your reviews, interviews and insight within the Christian media sector and I see you’re doing book reviews.
Because of the overwhelming amount of movies with super power heroes, I decided to write a script that took the audience back to the real origin of supernatural powers – God. BUTTON WILLLOW – THE TRAVELER is a middle grade/young adult (family) story that in script format snatched a best script nomination at the International Christian Film Festival in Orlando 2018. Pitching it there, I was advised to write the book because of its 54 mil budget. Let the book get popular to get investor’s attention. I did just that. So you see, I have my job cut out for me.
I would be glad to send you a free book and if you felt led to review it for your blog, I’d to along with it. For me, it’s a big step of faith, but its time for the movie industry to produce a big budget blockbusting high concept film that will encourage its audience to look for God.
You can see all the details on Button’s website: http://www.buttonwillowthenovel.com and you can see the dove review here: https://dove.org/review/15028-book-review-button-willow-the-traveler/
Jesus, My Redeemer,
Kim P. Wells
Motherofviii Media
BKWELLS Enterprises, LLC
(I am a produced screenwriter albeit low budget PAWN’S MOVE, and the soon Princess Cut 3 (working title) with Sheila and Paul Munger; filmed and in editing to come out in 2020.)
Kim, did you get my email?