Book Review: Dinner with a Perfect Stranger

Dinner with a Perfect Stranger is about a man named Nick who receives an anonymous invitation to dinner with Jesus. Nick is skeptical about this dinner invite. He has no relationship with God, his marriage is shaky, and his job no longer gives him satisfaction. Nevertheless, he accepts the invitation and shows up at the restaurant were Jesus of Nazareth awaits him. The conversation that ensues is extremely interesting and, at times, entertaining. The reader takes the place as an observer in this conversation; however, at many places in the conversation it is as though Jesus is speaking to the reader.  

David Gregory, the author, uses a 100 page book to help explain the fundamentals of Christianity. He also looks at other religions and points out how and where they have fallen short of the truth. In response to the question about why Jesus doesn't make everyone go to heaven, he responds "Love doesn't force relationship... God created people to be able to choose freely. He honors their choices" (79-80).

Dinner with a Perfect Stranger is a light/heavy read. Light in the fact that it is only 100 pages. Heavy in the fact that it deals with questions and issues that many people spend months, even years, pondering on. While some questions may be answered, others are left unanswered as if to challenge the reader to seek a closer relationship with God so that the answer may be found. The first chapter can be read here. I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing for this review.

Book Review: Restless in Carolina

Restless in Carolina in a story about a woman named Bridget Pickwick-Buchanan who is trying to help her family sell their estate to someone who will not turn it into an amusement park. It is also about her journey from a four-year period of spiritual and emotional death to life again. As Bridget struggles to regain her life again, the reader is taken on a page-turning, late-night, reading spree. The reader will come to feel as though the characters are real life people going through real life problems and begin to associate with them.

Restless in Carolina is a romance story. Not only is it about the romance between a man and woman, but also between God and his creation. Through the story Bridget learns how to trust God again. She also learns that if God does not come first in her life, whatever she put in his position will break her heart one way or another.

Restless in Carolina is a great story. I would definitely recommend this book to others. You can read the first chapter here. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing for this review.