Seven-mile Miracle

I have kept up with Pastor/Author Steven Furtick's books since I got his book "Crash the Chatterbox" from the blogging for books program. Each one has had something insightful, and very helpful, I started to read seven-mile Miracle, and I began to think it was for the new believer or someone who hasn't yet received God's grace. It took a few more pages for me to realize I was wrong; it is for the newly saved, the unsaved, and for those of us who are still receiving His grace day by day. 

Summery

"It’s Good Friday. The Son of God is giving up his life. What does he want to say to us in His final hours? What does He tell the people standing at the foot of the cross, to pass down to the ages? He speaks only seven short statements. Words of forgiveness, salvation, relationship, abandonment, distress, triumph, and reunion. Seven statements that mean everything."

Each chapter, or in this case each mile, brought deep truth into what I thought I already knew. This book is insightful, funny, and gets to the heart of these seven final statements of Jesus. On chapters I thought would have no impact on me, after all I already accepted Christ as my savior what could I have to learn about the subject of Salvation?, showed me that we sometimes need to return to the roots. 

The most important part to me in the first mile marker or so was that grace isn't a one time thing, it is renewed every day, because we need it. I loved how Steven put it in the way of it's like being saved again and again and again. I was getting to a point where I thought God wouldn't listen to my pleas anymore, that I had finally done enough to get him to ignore me, but I was oh so very wrong. Boy, I was never so glad to be wrong.

I think this a perfect book for anyone. It is a good introduction into what we christians believe, and gives a solid foundation in The Truth. For those of us that think we have nothing left to learn, pick up this book and see if it has the same effect on you that it had on me. 

that's all for now everyone. I hope y'all have a blessed day.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Because you're Mine

Colleen Coble’s new book, Because you’re Mine, will keep you turning the page with little to no stops in between. This book weaves mystery, death, and the power of love to make an interesting novel.

Everything is going well for Alenna’s celtic band Ceol. The tour is on schedule and their new manager has been bringing them to new heights. Alenna and her husband Liam (Also the drummer for the band Ceol) look forward to informing their band-mates to telling them the great news of their pregnancy; but all goes wrong when Liam and his best friend Jesse get caught in a car bomb.

With threats from her in-laws in Ireland to sue for the right to raise her unborn child Alenna feels she has little choice but to take the offer of marriage from her manager. When all is said and done though Alenna realizes she will have to do a lot more to keep her baby safe as dangers arise in her new home where everything is not what is seems to be.

Colleen Coble always creates interesting mysteries filled with romance and a good message about God’s love. I expected to see this when I read Because you’re Mine. Throughout the book though I found a quite disconnection from any Christian influence in most of the book. It might have been the author’s intention due to Alenna’s grief over Liam and a sudden remarriage.

Even still, any Christian input I usually see in Colleen Coble’s books I saw very little with this one. I was sadden a little by the fact that I felt like I was reading a normal murder/mystery book with more hints of Irish folklore then any of the characters growing in their Christian faith, or even really talking about it.

I liked the background story of many of the characters. They were well thought out, but a bit rushed. And another thing is I had a hard time relating to anyone. I usually can at least feel what the characters are feeling in Colleen’s books, but this one lacked its usual connectivity. Again this might have been the author’s intent.

I still really like this book, but it was not one of my favorites. If you enjoy a good murder/mystery I would say you enjoy this book.

Well that’s all for today folks. Until next time I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Uninvited

Uninvited is my first book by Lysa TerKeurst, and without knowing the author's renown for penning some amazing books. I've looked forward to reading this one for a few months and I can very happily say I was not disappointed.

Uninvited deals with the enemy's way of trying to make you feel like you're the only one who feels left out, how he tries to isolate you in your own head. In delves deeper into the roots of our self doubt, insecurities, and so much more. Giving scripture to show how to handle these feelings and to show that you're not alone in this. God is prepared for all of it.

We've all faced rejection sometime in our life, and it's not an easy thing to handle. I know I've had to face a lot of it. Reading this book helped me unearth a lot of past hurts, and to move on from them. Lysa mixes in a nice blend of humor and isn't afraid to share her own experiences with these feelings. Reading through this book will be like talking to a new friend, one who isn't afraid to share the pain of the past to help you. 

Rejection, loneliness, depression, all of these are hard for anyone, especially young women, to handle. If you are going through anything like this then please pick up this book. It's not easy to face these things alone, make the choice to not be alone anymore.

I would really suggest reading this with a friend or in a group. It will help all within the group unearth an honest and openness they may not have had before. Living loved when the world makes you feel lonely....that is the whole point of this book, and I have to say Lysa did a perfect job with it.

I can't give this book more praise, and if I could I would rate it 10 stars. 

Well folks that's all for now. I hope y'all have a great day.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

SeaRose Lane

SeaRose lane far surpasses it's predecessor, Hope Harbor. With a slightly lighter tone, but still full of the realistic hardship that caught my attention in the first book, SeaRose Lane gets deep into the lives of two of Hope Harbor's residences Eric and BJ.

Our story returns to the peaceful town of Hope Harbor. A young man, Eric Nash, returns home after he is laid off his job as an attorney. Having been so close to the position of Partner Eric is feeling down and thrown into the waves of uncertainty. Somewhere he did not want to be. Then she runs into BJ Stevens, quite literally, creating feelings he's never had before.

BJ came to Hope Harbor trying to find peace, and she did until handsome young man ran into the back of her truck, who happens to also be her client's son. Romance is the last thing BJ is looking for, but she can't ignore the feelings that are growing inside her.

Both are looking for new beginnings, but on the shores of Hope Harbor they might just find more.

I wasn't sure if this book was going to be good, or if it would have the same issues of plot progression and too much detail, like the first book. I was happy to find myself wrong! 

The author had fixed whatever kinks I had with the first book when she wrote this one. 

The point of views switched around often enough that you didn't get bored with one of the characters, but not so often that you'd get annoyed and speed read just to get to the character you wanted. Many real life issues were addressed in here with raw emotion and accuracy. I couldn't stop myself from crying during some points. And the topic of putting God first in your life was a more dominate factor in this book, which helped me to enjoy and relate to it more.

If you're looking for a realistic contemporary romance I highly suggest picking up SeaRose Lane, you won't be disappointed.  And the next book is coming out in early 2017, so you'll have more to look forward to like I do!

That's all for today folks. I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Precious Moments: a Happy Harvest

Precious moments has been a part of my childhood, and my love for the sweet little characters and stories they share still lives. So when I saw this book I could not resist getting it!

Precious moments today is still a classic and should be in any home. The theme for this sweet little book is Thankfulness and the wonderful work of God’s creation. As thanksgiving and autumn come around this would be a perfect story book for parents or grandparents to read to their children or grandchildren.

The artwork is amazing! the bible verses and sweet little rhymes will help your children remember the lesson of being thankful for what you have been blessed with. The sturdy board-book will ensure years of good use. I can’t wait to share this with my future children!

That’s all for now folks. I hope y’all have an amazing autumn season!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

Find your Brave

I became a fan of Holly Wagner’s work when I read her book Warrior Chicks, but Find your Brave completely blows her previous book out of the water in my standards.

I came into this book expecting Holly’s sense of humor, and you get that for sure, but you get a slightly more serious side to this author as you delve into the verses found in Acts 27.  In Find Your Brave she examines the dramatic shipwreck faced by the apostle Paul in Acts 27. There she uncovers profound truths that will guide you safely through life’s most difficult moments.

I felt like I was having a personal bible study with a dear friend as I continued to read this book. It’s length and lack of day by day required reading (though I tell you now you will have a hard time putting it down) give readers freedom to read this book at their own pace. Holly offers sound advice backed up by The Word of God. I laughed, I cried, and learned a lot from this book. It is one I will for sure be buying for my friends this year.

I suggest getting this book. It will help you weather the storms of life the why Christ would want you to.

That’s all for now folks. I hope y’all have a great day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given

A Treasure Concealed

Tracie Peterson has become one of the most popular Christian fiction authors out there, and for good reason.  Now we have another wonderful series to look forward to The Sapphire Brides.

I love Tracie Peterson books, and I have borrowed quite a few from the library, and while A Treasure Concealed has a great story plot and plenty of new elements in the story it felt like I had read it before.

Emily Carver longs to have a home of her own, but instead she endures a transient existence in the gold mining camps of Montana, where her father's hopes for riches lie endlessly buried. Promises of wealth from this wild land have brought only hardship and disappointment, causing Emily to wonder if her own modest dreams will ever see the light of day.

Caeden Thibault, a young geologist working for the government, is a man trying to escape the pain of his past, and the idyllic mountains of Montana serve his purposes well. In the course of his work, he has seen more than his share of starry-eyed gold seekers. So when Emily Carver catches his attention, he is intrigued by the fact that she isn't pinning her hopes on striking it rich.

One unexpected surprise was how fast the two actually took notice of each other. I am use to Tracie Peterson’s book taking a very long time or one of the main characters to notice the other’s feelings, or it becomes a friendship into something more. This one both easily struck up a friendship and connection, making romantic feelings not all that far fetched. Unlike most books where they just see how they look and “BOOM!” They’re in love. I enjoyed that Tracie did not take this route with her characters.

The book is filled with what we would expect from Tracie Peterson, mystery, romance, and a good storyline with lovable characters and devious villains. Though it is not my favorite book by her it is still a book worth investing your time in.

Well folks that’s all for today. Until next time, I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

the Beautiful Pretender

Melanie Dickerson has become my favorite author of fairy-tales and medieval fiction. The Beautiful Pretender is by no means an exception to this.

I was able to borrow “The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest” from the library before I got this book in, and I will say it helps keep some of the characters straight, but you don’t have to read the first one to enjoy this book.

How would you feel if you only had two weeks to find a wife, and you had a list of only ten girls you were allowed to choose from? The mangrave of Thornbeck faces this problem and his only option is to invite the women from the King’s list and decide which young lady will be his bride.

Avelina is a maid-servent from a neighboring area. When her mistress runs away the blame is laid at Avelina’s feet. To save her family from banishment Avelina must go in place of her mistress, making sure that the mangrave does not pick her at all costs.

The story takes some elements from the princess and the pea, which is one of my favorite fairy tales, and a story to mix into this series of fairytales. A good amount of historical detail is also put into this book, just like most of Melanie’s books, and to me it just makes her books all the more enjoyable.

Something that has made this book more dear to my heart is how marriage is viewed by Avelina, and what she wants from it. So many marriages, both back then and now, turned sour and left children with a horrible idea of what marriage is or what it will be like for them. Avelina explains that a woman wants to be loved for who she is. Not for her money, her family name, or for her looks, but for the person they are. I screaming “YES!!! AT LAST SOMEONE GETS IT!!!” all throughout this scene.

The Beautiful Pretender is by far the best book Melanie Dickerson has published yet. I am very much looking forward to her next book “Silent Songbird”.

So if you are looking for a good fairytale or wanting to know if this one is any good then I hope you have found the answers!

Well folks that’s all for today. Until next time folks, I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Magnolia Duchess

I had been looking forward to reading The Magnolia Duchess by Beth White, the third book in the Gulf Coast Chronicles series, as I had enjoyed reading the second book in the series, The Creole Princess. (My first book in the Revell review program). It didn’t take me long to find myself lost in the world Beth white created with war, love, and loyalty as it’s main theme.

I really enjoyed the historical aspects woven throughout the plot of the story. I don’t remember too much of the history of 1814, but reading the Creole Princess and The Magnolia Dutchess has gotten me interested!  There is such detail about the settling of the coastal areas around the Gulf of Mexico. This story provided me with a better understanding of some of the details that helped to make the Gulf Coast a part of the United States of America.

It’s always fun to reconnect of the characters from previous titles in this series came back into the story throughout this book. I enjoyed seeing how their lives were playing out since the previous books.

I really struggled with one of the main characters in this book – Charlie Kincaid. As I read, I found his character to be hard to get a feeling for.. As a main character, his reactions to situations are  highly unpredictable – often not in sync with who he’d been portrayed to be earlier in the book. His interactions with other characters were also  seemed forced.

Some relationships were also rushed, making the story a bit difficult to keep up with

I loved reading The Magnolia Duchess, but it wasn’t up to par with its predecessors in the series.

If you’re looking for an informative yet enjoyable read on this time period I’d definitely recommend picking up a copy of each of the books in the Gulf Coast Chronicles series by Beth White. It is a good mix of solid facts and good storytelling

Well that’s all for now folks. Until next time I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Counted with the Stars

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Counted with the Stars. Most Biblical fiction is very dark, like the authors are highlighting the horrors instead of the hope. That is not the case with Connilyn Cossette’s “Counted with the Stars”. If you are looking for a realistic historical fiction with the message of hope we seek in Christian fiction then you’ll find it in this book!

Counted with the Stars takes place in the timeline of Exodus, telling the story of young Egyptian woman sold into slavery after all her father’s ships are destroyed at sea. To save her mother and her disabled brother from the same fate she has to work for a mistress who is cruel and wishes for nothing more then to see Kiya fail.

I did not expect to feel such a close connection to Kiya. Her character is so real, that you want to do nothing but cheer her on, tell her it’s going to be okay.

Another problem that Kiya faced, and one I think we can all relate to, is finding where you belong. As a merchant’s daughter turned slave Kiya was ostracized not only from the high ranking society, even the commoners and slaves would have nothing to do with her. Being in such a state is hard for anyone and one I could relate to.

This book also always had the same constant message; God is the way.

Many of the fiction books that take place in biblical times seem to lose this somewhere along the way, and even if it’s brought back in the end it still feels like it was put there to keep it in the “Christian” section. Counted among the stars did not have this problem at all and kept tied in with events of Exodus and how they might be viewed by the Egyptians.

If you are looking for a book for your christian book group this is the one. If you’re looking for a great historical fiction book with realistic settings and characters this is the book for you. If you are looking for a book filled with the message of God’s love and how the Old Testament illustrates that then Counted with the Stars is the book you have been looking for!

I cannot give this book enough praise, and I hope you readers will pick up a copy.

Well that’s all for now folks. Until next time I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given

On Lone star Trail

A motorcycle ended Gillian's career as a renown concert pianist. The irony that another motorcycle accident brings her face to face with a man trying to outrun his own tragedy is not lost on her. As circumstances force them to interact with each other, small step by small step God finds a way to heal them both

The final book in the Texas crossroads trilogy has left a stamp on my heart as one of my favorite series. Lone star trail brings back characters we loved from the first two books and gives us two new characters to fall in love with. Greif was a theme in this book. Handling any type of grief is hard, from the loss of a loved one to the loss of your entire future. Both are difficult to understand. The fear of the unknown would love to swallow Gillian, while Benjamin wants to race into the unknown to outrun his past.

 I also love that this book show God can use any tragedy to not only further His kingdom, but to bring two people together and bring healing in both of their lives.

I really did have a hard time putting it down, though book two is still my favorite of the series, this one put the perfect ending to the series. I will miss these characters, though I can’t wait to see what this author will come up with next! it’s going to be hard to trump this amazing texen series, but it has been done before.

Until next time folks. I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Her one and Only; The end of the Porter family series

I started out on this series unsure if I would really like what would come next. Much similar to a crescendo the Porter Family series gets better with each book that comes next!

I thought Becky Wade couldn’t do better when she wrote A Love like ours, boy was I wrong. Dru Porter is the youngest member of the family, and the only girl in a line of boys. Four older brothers and a tour in the marines makes one able to stand tall against what life throws at you, and the constant judgement of others. Dru now works as a bodyguard, and no one is better at her job. But past mistakes hover over her and make her co-workers weary of her, and being a woman makes most of her clients head tilt in confusion. Dru is determined to prove she is up to the task of being the bodyguard of the NFL star Gray Fowler.

Gray Fowler has to be one of my all time favorite characters now. He is relatable, and his past makes it easier for guys to relate to him as well. It also helped me be more understanding of a few guys I use to know and why their pasts made them have trouble with love.

The action in this book also set it apart from the previous books in this series, giving it an extra draw to an already interesting story. Then the teasing between these two, oh my goodness I could barely contain my laughter most days! And to see the rest of the Porter family, and to have them mixed in more than most book series that have a returning cast just..just made the ending to the series even better than I could have imagined! Finishing this book was like watching the series finale of your favorite TV show. It's wonderful, but then you know you're going to miss seeing new adventures for the characters you have come to love.

The final book in the Porter family series will have you at the edge of your seat, your heart melting, and your head singing praises as these two battle the odds. God’s love really does heal all wounds and this book shows it well.

I hope Becky Wade writes more book series after this. I think I would cry if she didn’t! But if you’re looking for a fun book series to read during the summer I would tell you to pick up this series right now. You won’t regret it!

Well that’s all for now folks. I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Black and white Bible, Black and blue Wife

I had not planned not ordering this book. If you could look on my Amazon Wishlist I have all my blogging books for nearly the entire year, but this one came up when I was checking to see what books I could order. It sounded like an amazing testimony of Ruth A. Tucker and others, I really looked forward to reading it too, but that wasn’t exactly what I got.

I am in no way diminish the horrible experiences these women went through, nor do I condone what their husbands or boyfriends did to them. I was expecting a memoir, and there are pieces of that in the book, but if felt much more like a rant about domestic abuse. After chapter 2 I felt like there was some hidden meaning between the lines of these pages that I couldn’t figure out, and I’m not sure I want to know what it is.

I did find it helpful in becoming more aware of some details of domestic abuse, how hard it is for these women and children to speak of them or to find the lines between normal discipline and domestic abuse. The lines can be more blurred than we think. Still, I found little of their actual stories in this book like I first thought, nor did I see how God played a part in helping her overcome the trauma of the past. There was actually little refernce to God in her actual life and more of a...side by side comparison to stories of the bible. Not to say that’s a bad thing, but even that was a bit minimal. I guess I should not expect any more then that from Zondervan books nowadays (I’ll explain that in another post) still I had hopes for this book.

It’s not a bad book, but if you are looking for an actual memoir that will not only explain the past of the author and illustrate God’s loving ways then I do not suggest this book for you.

That is all I have for now folks. I hope y’all have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

Room for Hope

Kim Vogel Sawyer does not do the tales that are old as time. She finds new topics, ones that are usually hard to swallow, and puts them into a story that can show the love and mercy of Christ.

When I saw that one of my favorite authors was coming out with a new book I was excited. I was even more interested when I read what the book would be about!

Set in the time of the Great Depression, Neva Shilling, along with her two children, look forward to the return of her husband. But on the night of his return instead of his normal wagon she is met with a stranger from another town, claiming that her brother has died and left her all his earthly things and his three children. The only problem? Neva has no siblings. The truth is the man who died was her husband, and the three children before her are the offspring of another woman whom he had married. Shocked by her husband’s betrayal Neva is unsure what to do. Can any light be found through the darkness?

I really could not put this book down from the moment I got it in the mail. Kim Sawyer made a host of characters, and switching from three points of view, this book gives you plenty to think about. And I think what hit me most was the slow change in one of the characters that I thought was a scum bag to begin with. It reminds me of the song “Slow Fade” by Casting Crowns. One little choice here or there can slowly turn your world from black and white to gray. It’s a slow fade to change, but it happens for better or for worst.

I really cannot say enough good things about this book, and I would say more, but I would end up giving away too many spoilers. But trust me when I say you won’t regret picking up this book.

That’s all for now everyone. I hope y’all have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

Mermaid Moon

Again I missed book one of Colleen Coble’s amazing series, but I do not regret getting my hands on book two!

Okay, for all you people out there wondering you do want to read book one of this series, because the characters are in here and they play a role in the story. And another fun fact, these take place in the same islands, or at least the islands around the Summer Harbor series by Denise Hunter! that is just so cool to me.

Anyways, back to the program. As we have come to expect with Colleen Coble, this is a mystery/romance novel, but this one is different from her previous works. I’m not sure how to explain it, maybe it’s the writing style, the feel of the characters, the storyline, or maybe all three. Mermaid moon is for sure her best book to date!

I want to explain a little of the story, like I usually do, but anything I could say would spoil the plot, and I just cannot do that to you readers, not this time anyways. You can look at the description below, but that’s all I can give y’all this time.

Mallory’s mother died fifteen years ago. But her father’s last words on the phone were unmistakable: “Find . . . mother.” Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn’t have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point. Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O’Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart—and left—without a word, years ago. When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life—and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie—their search intensifies. There’s a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

The theme of this book is forgiveness, forgiving family and forgiving yourself when God already has. It touched my heart deeply. Before I was saved I battled with a guilt I couldn’t comprehend, and I felt God would never show me forgiveness if I couldn’t even find it in myself. I was wrong. If you are battling with a deep guilt I suggest picking up this book, it might help you.

That’s all for today folks I hope you have a blessed day

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given