Thursday, June 27, 2013

Paige Torn CFBA Book Tour

Paige Torn
Picture Credit
Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum is the first book in the Paige Alder Series.

ABOUT THE BOOK


Everyone knows they can count on Paige Alder. But between volunteering at church, putting in overtime at work, and helping her best friend plan an anniversary party, she's lucky to grab a cheese stick for dinner. Paige can't even remember the last time she had a few minutes to relax or dig into God's Word. Then she meets laid-back Tyler, an attractive, Jesus-loving guy. Will he be able to help Paige get her priorities on track?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Paige Torn, go HERE.


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Paige Torn
Think (May 1, 2013)
by
Erynn Mangum

My Review

I have never read anything by Erynn Mangum but is going to change. While this is considered a young adult novel, I really enjoyed it and adults will enjoy the story as well.
 The character of Paige Alder is a delight to read and the book explains very realistically a typical life of a Christian twenty something year old. Not that everyone has this type of life but I know so many people that live like Paige does. Basically Paige can't say no to anything. Not that what she does is bad, but it is running her into the ground in every aspect of her life. The dialogue is excellent and well written. I was very amused by some of the scenes and really couldn't put the book down. While there is not a "deep" story line or romantic "happily ever after" this is just a good honest book. The ending took me by surprise and abruptly ends, which has me wanting to read the next book right away. 
I loved this book and am going on a search to find more by this author!

"I received this book from CFBA for free in exchange for an honest review."
 Stop by Erynn's website to learn more!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:





A few things about her: So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!


When Mockingbirds Sing Book Review









When Mockingbirds Sing
Picture Credit







About the Book

What marks the boundary between a miracle of God and the imagination of a child?
Nine-year-old Leah’s invisible friend seems harmless enough until he aids her in upsetting the tranquility of her new town, a place where her parents desperately hoped she’d finally be able to make friends and fit in. Hidden within a picture she paints for a failed toymaker are numbers that win the toymaker millions. Suddenly, townspeople are divided between those who see Leah as a prophet and those who are afraid of the danger she represents. Caught in the middle is Leah’s agnostic father, who clashes with a powerful town pastor over Leah’s prophecies and what to do about them.
When the imaginary friend’s predictions take an ominous turn and Leah announces that a grave danger looms, doubts arise over the truthfulness of her claims. As a violent storm emerges on the day of the annual carnival, Leah’s family and the town of Mattingly must make a final choice to cling to all they know or embrace the things she believes in that cannot be seen. (Goodreads)





My Thoughts

This is such a unique book that took me some time to read the entire story. There are so many things going on and it's a lot to take in. I loved Leah and everything about her character. She gets made fun of and then says she sees the Rainbow Man and everyone thinks she is crazy. She also has a stutter which most people just like to avoid talking with her. As the story moves on crazy things happen and Leah is confused or caught in between two sides of people. Her father irritated me and the ending was a lot different than what I was expecting. Overall this is an alright read, I don't think it is a book that I would re-read. I recommend to those who like to see more in depth books. 


 "I received this book from Booksneeze for free in exchange for an honest review."











 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Giveaway Reminder!

I'm having a giveaway going on right now for those who of you missed the post. Two of Allison Pittman's latest, Lilies in Moonlight and All for a Song. Check it out here!


 

Lilies in Moonlight: A Novel

Monday, June 24, 2013

I've Got Your Back: A Leadership Parable Book Review



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 About the Book

If Jesus wrote a book about leadership today, he would tell a story. That's what the author decided when he tore up his first draft. Instead, he wrote a parable about four twenty-somethings who are having major problems with bad bosses. Jack Henderson, a retired Army Special Forces Sergeant and former missionary, begins to teach them Biblical principles about leadership and when they put it into practice at work ... it makes lives worse!

At the end of the parable, the author outlines Biblical principles of fellowship, as well as leadership, because everyone needs to learn how to lead and follow well.

With a forward by John & Nancy Ortberg. (Goodreads)





For a leadership book, this one impressed me with its detail. The first part of the book James Galvin is very creative as it splits the story between the lives of multiple people and how they each cope with leadership. After introducing the read to these people he puts them all in the same Bible study where they learn more about leadership at every angle. I liked this part of the book because what was written on the white board in story is written right onto the page you are reading so you can visualize it. The back part of the book is like a recap of what you just read and how to apply it to your own life. The main part is that the leadership concept is from a Christian perspective and there is a big difference. Anyone interested in leadership, leading and following, should check out this book. 

"I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review."





About the Author

James C. Galvin

James Jim Galvin 
Jim is an organizational consultant specializing in strategy, effectiveness, and change. He is relentlessly focused on releasing the potential of leaders and organizations. His client list spans a wide variety of organizations including foundations, associations, universities, agencies, ministries, congregations, denominations, and businesses.
Jim holds the Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Supervision from Northern Illinois University, where the faculty nominated his doctoral research for the prestigious Dissertation of the Year Award. He holds the Masters degree in Christian Formation and Ministry from Wheaton College where he also completed his undergraduate work in Christian Education.
As an author, Jim has written many best-selling books and instructional resources. He has won the C.S. Lewis Medal Award for Children’s Literature three times and has been honored by the ECPA as a Gold Medallion Award finalist fifteen times. His products have been translated into more than thirty-seven languages around the world. He is most well known as the co-creator and co-senior editor of the best-selling Life Application Study Bible.
Jim lives in Elgin, Illinois with his wife Kathleen. They have two adult children. Their son works as an audio engineer and their daughter as a graphic designer. Jim serves as the Chair of the Board for the Caspari Center in Jerusalem which takes him to Israel frequently.
















 

Pieces of the Heart CFBA Blog Tour


ABOUT THE BOOK

Cordelia Grace watched Bernard Howard, the love of her young life, go off to fight for our country in WWII. And she has spent the last three years creating the Pine Cone quilt that will grace their marriage bed when he comes home. Each row of triangles signifies a layer in her life, sets of memories, hopes, dreams, and prayers for her future, enough spoken words to cover them forever. Her image of their “happy-ever-after” grows proportionally as the quilt expands.

But is the man that returns from the war, the same man that she remembered? Are the dark shades of color that she had to use for the outside edges of the beloved quilt prophetic of her life to come? Can love and faith overcome all?

If you would like to read teh first chapter of Pieces of the Heart, go HERE.


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Pieces of the Heart
Abingdon Press (June 1, 2013)
by
Bonnie S. Calhoun


Pieces of the Heart by Bonnie S. Calhoun is the ninth book in the Quilts of Love Book Collection.

This is the first book by Bonnie I have read, and I could not put the book down. There is humor, pain, real characters, and a powerful love story. This is not a huge book, but it packs a punch. Abuse is a huge topic and all set place during World War 2. Cordelia's making of the quilt was set perfectly within the story line as she grows and goes through difficult times. The thing that I really loved about this book is how real the characters are within an abusive home or when they are in the "perfect" home. For the time period it shows how difficult life was after the war, it might have been over but life would not be the same on the home front. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from this author!

"I received this book from CFBA for free in exchange for an honest review."


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bonnie S. Calhoun is Owner/Director of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), the ACFW ‘2011 Mentor of the Year,” President of (CAN) Christian Authors Network, and Appointment Coordinator for both the Colorado Christian Writers Conference (CCWC) and the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference(GPCWC).

For the last six years she has taught workshops in Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, and creating Social Media promotions at both CCWC, and GPCWC, and in 2011 at the Montrose, Pa Christian Writers Conference. She also taught a Facebook workshop at the 2012 ACFW conference.

Bonnie and her husband live in a log cabin in upstate area of New York with a dog and cat who think she’s wait-staff.

Her sites are: https://www.facebook.com/bonniescalhounsnarkandsuspense
https://www.facebook.com/bscalhoun










Sunday, June 23, 2013

Allison Pittman Two Book Giveaway!


UPDATE: Callie is the winner of the giveaway! Thank you everyone for your participation!


We are in the process of moving so I have been going through all of my books among other items. 

This giveaway is for Allison Pittman's two latest historical novels: Lilies in Moonlight and All for a Song
Both of these books are well written, Pittman is one of my favorite authors.


All for a Song
Dorothy Lynn Dunbar has everything she ever wanted: her family, her church, her community, and a budding romance with the young pastor who took over her late father's pulpit. Time spent in the woods, lifting her heart and voice in worship accompanied by her brother's old guitar, makes her life complete . . . and yet she longs for something more.

Spending a few days in St. Louis with her sister's family, Dorothy Lynn discovers a whole new way of life-movies, music, dancing; daring fashions and fancy cars. And a dynamic charismatic evangelist . . . who just happens to be a woman. When Dorothy Lynn is offered a chance to join Aimee Semple McPherson's crusade team, she finds herself confronted with temptations she never dreamed of. Can Dorothy Lynn embrace all the Roaring Twenties has to offer without losing herself in the process?(Goodreads)


Lilies in Moonlight: A Novel


Lilies in Moonlight 
After a roaring night on the town, fun-loving flapper Lilly Margolis, dazed and disoriented, twists her ankle and falls into the backyard of a wealthy family where the effects of the Great War—over for more than half a decade—are still endured. Inside the walls of the Burnside mansion, Cullen Burnside, a disillusioned and disfigured veteran, and his widowed mother, Betty Ruth, who daily slips a little further into dementia, lead a lonely existence … until Lilly. Whimsical, lighthearted, and beautiful, she rejuvenates their sad, disconnected lives and blossoms in the light of their attention.

But Lilly, like Cullen, is hiding from a painful past. And when Cullen insists on returning her to her faraway home, their budding attraction seems destined to die on the vine. The resulting road trip becomes a journey of self-discovery—but what will Cullen and Lilly find at journey’s end? (Goodreads)


This giveaway is for U.S. only, enter using the rafflecopter below. 

The giveaway is for both books and one winner. 

I'm cleaning out my bookshelves folks so keep an eye for more giveaways!  
  




 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Claudia Book Review





Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
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Claudia by Diana Wallis Taylor is a refreshing insightful read into a past time when Jesus spoke to the crowds.

Claudia's life did not start easily. The illegitimate daughter of Julia, reviled and exiled daughter of Caesar Augustus, Claudia spends her childhood in a guarded villa with her mother and grandmother. When Tiberius, who hates Julia, takes the throne, Claudia is wrenched away from her mother to be brought up in the palace in Rome. The young woman is adrift-until she meets Lucius Pontius Pilate and becomes his wife. When Pilate is appointed Prefect of the troublesome territory of Judea, Claudia does what she has always done: she makes the best of it. But unrest is brewing on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, and Claudia will soon find herself and her beloved husband embroiled in controversy and rebellion. Might she find peace and rest in the teaching of the mysterious Jewish Rabbi everyone seems to be talking about?

Readers will be whisked through marbled palaces, dusty marketplaces, and idyllic Italian villas as they follow the unlikely path of a woman who warrants only a passing mention in one of the Gospel accounts. Diana Wallis Taylor combines her impeccable research with her flair for drama and romance to craft a tale worthy of legend.(Goodreads)



I have not read any books by Diana until now but that is definitely going to change! I loved everything about this book, and usually this time period does not interest me. The author did her research and created a beautiful look into what life was like in Rome and Judea around the same time the disciples walked with Jesus. Honestly, I had never thought about Pontius Pilate's wife, she is only mentioned in a short paragraph in the Bible. While in the author's note in the book, the history is fuzzy, no one knows everything that happened to Claudia. It is believed that her grandfather was Caesar Augustus, though never knowing who her real father, she is forced into a new life that changes everything. Growing up under the emperor in Rome and then being picked as someone's wife at sixteen could not have been easy for anyone. I love the background story, Claudia's daily life, her thoughts, and the people she that surround her. She marries a man who in turn plays a pivotal part in history. The author asked, what could that have been like and wrote a great story that I could not put down. 
I highly recommend this book, yes there is a lot of history but the story is fantastic!

"I received this book from Revell for free in exchange for an honest review."




“Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”







Saturday, June 22, 2013

Pennsylvania Patchwork Book Review Litfuse Blog Tour




Pennsylvania Patchwork
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Pennsylvania Patchwork by Katie Lloyd is the second book in the Legacy of Lancaster Series.
 
About the Book
 
Seattle native Holly Fisher is smitten by Lancaster County, its simplicity and her long lost relatives. In the sequel to bestselling Leaving Lancaster, Holly embraces the Amish culture, learning to slow down to see what - and who – really matters. Meeting the family that her mother had kept hidden from her, Holly comes face to face with her real life and blood legacy. She also falls for the charming Zach, a handsome Mennonite veterinarian who is everything she’s ever wanted in a husband: confident, kind, successful, and authentic. And Zach proposes marriage. Is this too soon? Is this the right choice? Mother and Amish grandmother think she’s rushing into too much of a lifestyle change. Holly is in love with Zach and that precludes everything. Until she meets an attractive Amish man. And an old suitor shows up.
Pennsylvania Patchwork is the moving, richly told story of one woman’s heart, her faith and trust, and the choices she makes. Never easy, but one choice can change your destiny.(Goodreads)
 
My Review
 
This is the first book in the series that I have read and it can easily be read by itself. The story line is a bit of a love triangle and at times it was difficult for me to follow. The characters I couldn't really relate with. The mother figures in the story were entertaining at times but the romance and setting were not my favorite. It is full of drama, a little too must for my taste. If you like romance/family drama and Amish life you will like this book. The main aspect of this book is confronting your past and moving on with the future.
 
 
"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kate Lloyd is celebrating the release of book two in her Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, Pennsylvania Patchwork, by giving away an authentic Amish-made quilt!
PennsylvaniaPatchwork
 
  One "grand" winner receive:
  • An authentic Amish-made Quilt
  • Pennsylvania Patchwork and Leaving Lancaster by Kate Lloyd
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 29th. Winner will be announced on July 1st at Kate's blog.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Shattered Rose Free Ebook Today Only!

 
 
 
 
Today only you can get Shattered Rose by debut author T.L. Gray!
 
 
 
 
See my review.
 
Also, stop by Amazon, rate my review (review helpful yes/no), and see what others have to say.
 
Find out more about the author at her website.
 
 
 
Set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, nineteen-year-old Avery Nichols embarks on a journey of love, loss and recognition that perfection is often an illusion. She gives all she has to the one man who cannot love her back, but still refuses let her go. Now another fights to give her everything she doesn’t believe she deserves.
It is the beginning of her sophomore year at Winsor University, and Avery is determined that nothing will stop her momentum, not even the internal battle she has fought for four years. Forced to live on campus because of her alumni scholarship, Avery is thrilled when she is placed in the coveted University Apartments and is swept away by her roommate’s cousin, Jake, whose charm and charisma touches every part of her soul and shatters every piece of her heart. Broken and lost, Avery meets Parker, a man who not only offers her hope, but also teaches her to love in ways she never thought possible.
Jake is complicated and damaged, fighting to find his way after the loss of his mother, and despite his every attempt to stop it, Avery gets behind his defenses and forces him to feel once again. He doesn’t want to love her, but can’t let her go. Parker is genuine, honest, and falls for Avery the moment he sees her. He wants nothing more than to love her, if she would only let him.
 
 
 
 


Stealing the Preacher Book Review



Stealing the Preacher
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Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer is the second book to the Archer Brothers Series.



On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the person is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?(Goodreads)
 
 
 
 
 
I loved Karen's Short Straw Bride so I was excited to see this book arrive in the mail. While both books have an Archer brother as a main character, this book can easily be read by itself.
I loved Joanna's character, she truly wanted to help her father and others around her, even if it was crazy. Another romantic adventure where a couple of twists and turns take the reader for a loop.
 
While the ending is no surprise I love how the author always includes multiple chapters after the "happily ever after" scenes. The ending is all the same in many book but with these, something always comes after a declaration of love and/or marriage; the book doesn't just end. The sense of humor is great and made for a fun easy read.
I really liked a Short Straw Bride more than Stealing the Preacher but both are great!
 
 
"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Lock, Stock, and Over A Barrel CFBA Tour

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

With high hopes, Dorothy Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it's not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?

When her eccentric Aunt Dot passes away and leaves a sizeable estate to Dorothy, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.

Dorothy only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt's very specific posthumous terms -- personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dot’s cats.

And if Dorothy thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dot's life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God's perfect timing.

If you would liketo read the first chapter of Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel, go HERE.



This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel
B&H Publishing Group (April 30, 2013)
by
Melody Carlson




My Review

Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel is a fun summer read. Melody Carlson is a great author, and is able to create a fun story line, yet include good underlying character building. The book starts out in New York, and Dorothy has a great job but life doesn't seem like it's ever going to change. When she finds out her aunt has died she heads back home to discover a hidden past and new future. The characters are believable and easy to relate with. I enjoyed picturing the huge house of Aunt Dot and small town Appleton. While multiple men try to win Dorothy over, she struggles with her decisions. I also enjoy reading about a writer, it was amusing at times. The story ends abruptly and I am looking forward to the next book!
 
This book reminds me a lot of Last Chance for Justice without the mystery.
 
I recommend for a light summer read.


"I received this book from CFBA for free in exchange for an honest review."





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Red Dawn Rising









Red Dawn Rising
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 Red Dawn Rising by Sue Duffy is the second book in the Red Returning Trilogy.

Twenty-seven-year-old Cass Rodino is a hardworking, dedicated set designer on Broadway. But, like the actors who take the stage every night, she is masking a different reality. Her secrets lie deep within past wounds too severe to expose to anyone.

Evgeny Kozlov has secrets of his own. A former KGB assassin, he is trying to outrun the underground revolution he once served. Trying to right his wrongs, he's in a race against time and against a former colleague, Ivan, who has sinister plans to bring down the United States, including an assassination attempt on famed pianist Liesl Bower.

As Cass and Evgeny separately set out to save Liesl from an impending doom, both are hurled into a fierce CIA/FBI dragnet, not knowing that their formidable opponent--a most unlikely predator--is already closing in on them.

Book 2 of the Red Returning Trilogy, Red Dawn Rising mixes suspense, action, and romance in a tale of personal tragedy and triumph that will keep readers pivoting between the evil desires of world powers and the redeeming powers of personal faith, life, and love. (Goodreads)


The first few chapters of this book got me interested, Cass's character I love and the author did an amazing job with her character. Aside from that, I did not enjoy this book too much. I really wanted to and the first part of the book had me hooked, but my interest could not be held. I really liked the setting and characters but the overall plot of the book was not for me. 

"I received this book from Kregel for free in exchange for an honest review."
















Sunday, June 16, 2013

Slow Moon Rising Book Review





Slow Moon Rising
Picture Credit




 Slow Moon Rising by Eva Marie Everson is the third book in the Cedar Key Series. 

 About the Book

Cedar Key has long been a place of rest, healing, and release in the Claybourne family. But it might also be the birthplace of a lie that is poisoning the family from within. Join the strong Claybourne women-Anise, Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami-as they each confront the truth. Their unique paths will lead them through heartbreak, misunderstandings, and pain. But their journeys will also bring reconciliation with each other and renewed love in their own lives.
In her lyrical, evocative fashion, Eva Marie Everson weaves a tapestry of complicated relationships that, when complete, reveals the most beautiful work of art there is-family. (Goodreads)

 My Review


I have not read any books by Eva Marie Everson and this book looked intriguing. I really enjoyed the first couple of chapters about Anise. I had no idea this book was going to be written in perspective from five different women. It reminded me a lot of Secretly Smitten only less organized and way more confusing. 
 The relationship that develops between Anise and Ross is way too fast and there is no character development for any of the characters. The story line is a big soap opera surrounding Ross and his past and other parts of the family and possible affairs. I was totally disappointed with this book and I can't recommend it.


"I received this book from Revell for free in exchange for an honest review."




Find out more about the author and her books here.


Victim of Grace




Victim of Grace: When God's Goodness Prevails
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Victim of Grace by Robin Jones Gunn is an encouraging read, I highly recommend. 

Robin Jones Gunn reveals poignant truths from her life as well as from the lives of women in the Bible as she flips the notion that we are at the mercy of circumstances. She asks, what if God has dreams for you? What if he is accomplishing those dreams in the midst of shattered hopes? When life doesn't go as expected, it's easy to feel like a victim. We look at the events that have gone wrong and view our lives as impaired. What if we could see our future as God sees it? Would our view radically change if we understood we are indeed victims rather than of happenstance? God, the Relentless Lover, has vigorously sought you. He has instilled dreams in your heart that are grander than you can imagine. But the route to their fulfillment often is through a path you wouldn't seek. What if God wants to take the hopes that tug at your heart and enliven them? Are you ready to live inside the mysterious joy of being a victim of grace? (Goodreads)



I really enjoyed this book, though it's not one I wanted to sit down and read at one time. I read it each day and got something out of it every time. Robin writes about a personal story and then compares it to that of a Biblical person. I know there are a lot of books that do the same, but this one stood out to me. Robin writes with honesty and she included some great verses and sayings that I will need to copy and print out. Honestly, this book came at just the right time and the following verses and quotes I needed to read.  I highly recommend this book!

"I received this book from Booksneeze for free in exchange for an honest review."
Grace: (noun) a manifestation of unmerited favor. 

Victim: (noun) from the Latin Victima, a live sacrifice. 


"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11


The great thing with unhappy times is to take them bit by bit, hour by hour, like an illness. It is seldom the present, the exact present, that is unbearable. -C.S. Lewis, Letters to an American Lady


Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. Zachariah 4:10


Godly people do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. Psalm 112:2,7


[To forgive is to] set a prisoner free [and] discover that the prisoner was yourself. -Lewis Smedes, Forgive and Forget


































Friday, June 14, 2013

Barefoot Summer Book Review

Barefoot Summer
Picture Credit

About the Book
Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter is the first book in the Chapel Ridge Novels.
Madison’s heart closed the day her twin brother died.

Since losing her twin, Michael, in a drowning incident, Madison has rejected the faith he lived by. Instead, she’s devoted her life to fulfilling Michael’s dream—winning the River Sail Regatta in their small Indiana town, Chapel Springs.

As she trains for the regatta, Beckett O’Reilly is teaching Madison to swim. But he’s keeping a painful secret from her—and as they grow closer, that secret threatens to upend their lives . . . and the lives of both their families. (Goodreads)


My Review
Denise Hunter is one of my favorite authors. Her writing is fun, romantic, God centered, and entertaining. This book is no exception, it is the perfect summer read. Madison has held a lot of pain from the loss of her twin brother and decides she needs to make her brother's dream come true. Afraid of water and unable to swim she signs up for sailing lessons and fixes up her brother's boat. Much to her dismay she discovers the man she set lessons up with is unable to teach her, someone is sent in his place. As the story continues, Madison grows and confronts her past, even when secrets come out in the open.
I really loved this book, I read it in one evening. Fun characters, believable story line, and I really liked Madison's family. Highly recommend!
"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."

Denise Hunter is celebrating her new Chapel Springs Romance series with a Summer Fun Giveaway. The first book, Barefoot Summer, is already a favorite with readers. “Hold-your-breath romance, heartache, and laugh-out-loud moments. It’s more than a good read. It’s a delight.” -- Lisa
BarefootSummer 
Summer: it’s all about sunny skies, star-gazing, swimming, spending time with loved ones, and living as if a small part of the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders.

Get ready for some serious summer fun with Denise’s 12-Day Summer Sun giveaway. From June 10-21, keep your computer near as you head to the lake or your friend’s barbecue because Denise will be giving away a summer essential each day!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Point Book Review

 
 
 
Picture Credit
 
 
 
Searching for peace and inspiration, Hollie and Goodwin Macbreeze travel to the Isle of Estillyen - a distant harbor known for bringing ancient words of worth to the present. Their lives become unexpectedly and inseparably intertwined with the reclusive Oban Ironbout - and a mystery from the past that will transform them all.

It is a tale of pain ... and redemption. (Goodreads)
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Point by William Jefferson reminded me a lot of Pilgrims Progress. Honestly, I could not get through this entire book. The first couple of chapters were interesting, but as the story and dialogue dragged on I lost interest fast. The cover is beautiful and the idea behind the book is great. Oban Ironbout is interesting and the characters of Hollie and Goodwin at times are somewhat entertaining. I can't recommend this book but I'm sure there are many people who will enjoy reading this unique story.
 
 
Stop by the website if you want more details.
 
 
 
 
 
"I received this book from Handlebar for free in exchange for an honest review."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Kindergarten Program and Family

 So these aren't the best pictures but my nephew is the one with the shaggy hair right in the middle.
Below: He is the one with his cheeks puffed up big. Apparently he does that when he knows he shouldn't talk.
 Reading to grandpa.




 Isn't he adorable?









It was a fun day and he looked so handsome with his little red bow tie.