A Place Called Blessing Book Review



A Place Called Blessing Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins

By John Trent with Annette Smith
Published by Thomas Nelson

Book Description

Five-year-old Josh and his two older brothers lose their parents in a drunk-driving accident. A series of foster homes and a shocking tragedy eventually separate them, leaving Josh alone, angry, and distrustful of most everyone. At age eighteen, Josh strikes out on his own to find work. With only a high school education and few life skills, he is one step away from homelessness when Providence brings him to a place where he finds much more than physical shelter. For the first time in his life, Josh receives unconditional love and something every human being craves, the gift of "the blessing."
The book includes an introduction and reader’s guide designed to identify and discuss the five elements of the biblical blessing that every person needs. Through the power of Josh's story, readers are shown how to give this gift to their children and others as outlined in the more than one million copy bestseller, The Blessing.

My feelings on this book:

I couldn't put it down.  I read it in one day.  It was such a wonderful, feel-good story!  The story flowed and I sat cheering on Josh throughout the book.  Booing at his hardships and hoping that at some point this poor kid would get a break.  But felt encouraged that even with everything that was hitting him he kept getting back up and continuing on in life.  I cannot recommend this title enought to everyone!  At the end of the book, there is a Readers Guide with questions for each chapter.  This is very easily made into a Book Club for anyone. 

Dr. Trent lists this book under the category of nonfiction, and at the end, he says he lived parts of it. I don't know how much of it was fictionalized. It was very hard when I read this and not knowing how much was fiction versus non-fiction.  Here I sat for several hours feeling sad for this little boy who lost everything and had so many obstacles thrown before him.  We know there are coincidences between fiction and real life in the stories that we read, but I was left feeling very sad that another human felt this kind of hurt.  And it may not even be a fiction character that I am feeling such sorrow for. 

This story is written to tie in with John Trent's The Blessing

I have not read the other book, and the only time it is referred to is in the Forward and Readers Guide.  Not sure if I will read the other title, as it is non-fiction, but I do recommend this title.

On a scale of 5 stars, 5 being the highest, I do give this 4 stars.  I enjoyed it thoroughly, just wished it was a bit longer.  Read through it very quickly.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”