Susie by Ray Rhodes Jr.

Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon
by Ray Rhodes Jr.

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads Synopsis: While many Christians recognize the name of Charles H. Spurgeon, the beloved preacher and writer, few are familiar with the life and legacy of his wife, Susie.  Yet Susannah Spurgeon was an accomplished and devout woman of God who had a tremendous ministry in her own right, as well as in support of her husband.  Even while dealing with serious health issues, she administered a book fund for poor pastors, edited and published her husband's sermons and other writings, led a pastor's aid ministry, wrote five books, made her home a hub of hospitality, and was instrumental in planting a church.  And as her own writing attests, she was also a warm, charming, and fascinating woman. 

Now for the first time, Susie brings this vibrant woman's story to modern readers.  Ray Rhodes Jr. examines Susannah's life, showing that she was not only the wife of London's most famous preacher, but also a woman who gave all she had in grateful service to the Lord.

Susie is an inspiring and encouraging account of a truly remarkable woman of faith that will delight Spurgeon devotees and fans of Christian biographies alike.

My Review: Charles Spurgeon is a well loved preacher from the 19th century.  In fact, Spurgeon was known as "the Prince of Preachers," for obvious reasons.  Many Christians know and love his preaching.  But not many know much about the woman behind the preacher -- Susannah.  This book introduces you to Susannah Spurgeon, the wife of Charles Spurgeon - not Charles Spurgeon's wife, Susannah.  Susie was a woman of much love - love for the gospel, the church, and her husband.  She shared in her husband's ministry and was an important asset to preachers around the world up until the day she died.  She is a remarkable woman that you definitely need to read about.

I could only find two downsides to this book.  One of those was the structure of how the book was written.  Instead of chronologically going through Susie's life, the author themed each chapter which caused the story to be a choppy telling of Susannah Spurgeon's life.  It was hard to follow at places due to the choppy format.  Also, there were some sections where Charles Spurgeon took the spotlight more than I feel he should have for this book.  While I didn't mind reading about him, and his was definitely an important person in this book, there were some places where I would have loved to read more from Susie's perspective on the events of the chapter.  Overall, this was a very enjoyable book to read and I loved learning more about Susannah Spurgeon. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

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The Memory House by Rachel Hauck

The Memory House
by Rachel Hauck

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads Synopsis: When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order. Meanwhile a mysterious letter arrives informing her she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, and what she discovers there will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a driven sports agent who fondly recalls the connection they shared as teenagers. But Beck doesn’t remember that, either.

Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into old high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.

Fifty years separate the women but through the power of love and miracle of faith, they each find healing in a beautiful Victorian known affectionately as The Memory House.

My Review: The Memory House was a beautifully written story about love, loss, and forgiveness.  Rachel Hauck is an amazing writer and she is becoming one of my favorites!  I look forward to each of her new books.  The Memory House is no exception.  Hopping back and forth between two different time periods, we learn about the lives of two women - Beck and Everleigh.  

Beck, a cop in New York who has no memories of the past, including her father who died in the 9/11 tragedy, is on a leave of absence when she finds out that she has inherited the house of a woman she doesn't know in Florida.  She travels down to claim her inheritance and ends up reuniting with an old friend.  Through some ups and downs, this old friend helps her discover all that she has lost.

Everleigh is happily married with a child on the way when the unimaginable happens.  After losing her husband and her baby, she falls into a rut and finds herself living with her mother.  It isn't until she runs into an old friend that she finally finds what she needs to move on from her boring day to day routines.

The big question?  How are these two ladies connected?  Why did Everleigh leave Beck her house?  Through this story, we learn how both of these women had to truly find themselves and take uncomfortable risks to move away from the past.  This was a great read with relatable characters and a super engaging plot.  This book releases on April 2, 2019 and its one to add to your to read list!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.  

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