"miracle at the higher grounds cafe" by max lucado

What if you could ask God anything? What would you ask? And how would he answer?

Chelsea Chambers is on her own. After a public split from her NFL superstar husband, Chelsea takes a bold step out of the limelight and behind the counter of the Higher Grounds Café, an old-fashioned coffee shop in dire need of reinvention. But when her courage, expert planning, and out-of-this-world cupcakes fail to pay the bills, this newly single mom finds herself desperate for help. Better yet, a miracle.

Then a curious stranger lands at Chelsea's door, and with him, an even more curious string of events. Soon, customers are flocking to the Higher Grounds Café, and not just for the cupcakes and cappuccino. They've come for the internet connection to the divine. Now the café has become the go-to place for people in search of answers to life's biggest questions.

When a catastrophe strikes and her ex comes calling, Chelsea begins to wonder if the whole universe is conspiring against her quest to make it on her own. After a shocking discovery opens her eyes to the unseen world around her, Chelsea finds the courage to ask, and heaven answers in a most unexpected way.

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When I heard that Max Lucado had written a novel, I was intrigued. Lucado's writing, specifically Fearless, has had a big impact on my life, but I wondered if he could successfully shift into the world of fiction.

He has, without a doubt!

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Café is a sweet story about faith and community that seems a bit farfetched at first. A direct line to God via the internet? I was skeptical, as I'm sure I would be if I heard about something like this in real life. So I could really identify with Chelsea's pastor brother-in-law Tony, who asked why God would use a blog to speak. The answer was basically, why not? After all, God used a fleece with Gideon, a donkey with Balaam, and a star with the Magi. Why not a blog? (p. 61).

In another section of the book, Manny, one of Chelsea's employees at the café, is pondering the spiritual battle taking place.

...Manny's mind was racing. Not with doubts, but questions, for the two are not the same. Even the deepest, darkest questions can lead to a deeper faith (p. 49).

And that's what I loved most about this book—wrapped in an engaging story, Lucado brings truth without seeming preachy. With this novel, he'll reach a new group of people who may not be inclined to pick up a non-fiction book.

While I completely loved the story and spent some time pondering my own faith, I do wish that the novel had included more of Chelsea's relationship with her husband. Once things began to wrap up, they did so very swiftly, and I would have appreciated another chapter or two near the end to expand on things. That said, I really loved this book! 4-1/2 stars.

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Read my reviews of Lucado's Fearless and The Tallest of Smalls.

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More than 120 million readers have found comfort in the writings of Max Lucado. He ministers at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and a sweet but misbehaving mutt, Andy.

Find Max online: website, Facebook, Twitter

In Max Lucado's new fiction release, Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe, he asks, If you could ask God anything, what would you ask—and how would he answer? When a catastrophe strikes and her ex comes calling, Chelsea begins to wonder if the whole universe is conspiring against her quest to make it on her own. After a shocking discovery opens her eyes to the unseen world around her, Chelsea finds the courage to ask, and heaven answers in a most unexpected way.

Join Max in celebrating the release of his new fiction book by entering his iPad giveaway and RSVPing to his Coffee with Max webcast!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A copy of Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 23rd. Winner will be announced March 24th on the Litfuse blog. Then tune in later on the 24th for his Coffee with Max webcast. RSVP here!



{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.} Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."