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.

A Summer time Journal

Many of you probably don’t know that the Blogging for books Program merged with another publishing company some time ago and now offer more than Christian fiction books. I saw this cute journal and could not resist getting it.

Made to look like a favorite dessert of mine this journal has an open spine to keep in theme, and a puffy hard cover to look like the cookie. I had expected a little better quality for the price, especially since this journal is about the size of a mass market paperback book. The glue on the spine seems like it may chip off in spots, and a few pieces of thread binding the spine came undone before I even got it.

I also don’t care that the middle of the pages, the part that has white on the outside, has no lines. Maybe this is for making little doodles or to put something else in it’s place, but I need lines to keep my writing straight and it just looks funny to have lines only on the top and bottom of the pages.

All in all it’s a very cute journal, but not one I would consider getting again or getting for a friend.

I hope this review helps.

This is all I have for today folks I hope you have a blessed day.

I received this journal in exchange for an honest review, which I have given

A Sweet Misfortune

Will Rachel's life story be a list of unfortunate events, or will this spirited young women find God's plan for her in the last place she expected to find it?

Rachel Matthews isn't one to rely on others to take care of her. Destitute and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money--even if she's forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel's brother sends a friend--the widely admired cattle baron John McIntyre--to rescue her, then sets off to earn enough money to buy back the family ranch. But when months pass without her brother's return, Rachel isn't sure she can take one more day in John McIntyre's home--especially once she discovers that he's the one who holds the deed to her family's ranch.

A sweet Misfortune is book two in the Virtues and Vices of the old west, but I was able to fully enjoy this sweet novel without having read the first book, though i really want to now. This book is one you can sit with in a chair on the back porch in the sunshine and happily stay there for hours.

Most novels that are set in the old west have one of two problems;

1. They are too dramatic.

Authors want to make books interesting, so they add all sorts of dangers throughout the book, making it a little hard to believe that anyone could run into that much trouble.

2. They are too dull.

Some authors try to be as historically accurate as possible with their books, putting their novels in a bit of a bind with where the plot can go.

A sweet Misfortune had neither of these problems, which for me as a reader made the experience of reading all the more enjoyable There was a right blend of humor, friendship building into love, some chaos thrown in, with a message of God’s love to complete it. So if you are looking for a good book to start your Summer reading list I recommend trying this series by Meggie Breden.

Well folks that’s all I have 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.

NKJV Chronological study Bible

I have been looking for a Chronological study bible, and when I saw this one I couldn’t wait!

I truly enjoyed this bible and to see each book of the bible in the order, and the NKJV is a good translation to go with this type of study bible, in my opinion. The print size was also a good size, though I think it would help to have it a little bigger.

If study Bibles were in large or giant print it would help when I am in the middle of a Bible study class and I am trying to read a verse aloud.

Either way this is a good NKJV study bible if you’re looking for one. The full color images, maps, and all the little tid bits of information are interesting as you read through scripture. The binding is well done, the brown color eye appealing, and the soft leather like material makes it a good gift.

Not much more I can say on this other than if you’re interested in a chronological study bible this is a good one.

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.

(Un)Qualified

I became a fan of Steven Furtick when I read his book “Crash the Chatterbox” but with this small book he has blown his other three books out of the water!

I never expected Steven to write anything better then Crash the Chatterbox, it was so good and at the time nothing else compared to it in my mind. Now we have (Un)Qualified. A book that gets you to look not at how the world sees you, not how the person in the mirror sees you, but on who God says you are.

Being overweight makes it hard to feel pretty or loved, I should know, but Steven Furtick’s book makes you look at scripture and truly ask yourself the hard questions we all need to face. Steven opens up on his own trials with self image and self doubt as a pastor and book writer in the same way we have come to expect of him. Steven Furtick bring humor (and a few tears) into his book, but more than anything he brought a new sense of purpose to his book.

It’s hard to explain, but in the past years authors are putting more into their books. If you look at books done by Colleen Coble, Denise Hunter, and a few others out there you will notice a change. You have to read their previous works to understand, but this change has seemed to come about Steven as well. His words are more...confident and powerful. I had a hard time putting this book down after chapter 1.

I am sure there are plenty of reviews out there that rave on about (Un)Qualified, and I guess it is now time to add mine to the pile. I hope all who are reading this review right now will take a moment to pick up this book. It will change and challenge you.

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.

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.

Women's guide to knowing what you Believe

God really put me to the test with this book. Apologetics isn’t something you hear about everyday, and it can be easily misrepresented if taken too far.

What is apologetics you ask? I am not exactly sure how to describe it myself other then it’s how to love God with your heart and your mind, like it says on the cover.

After reading just a few chapters of this book it made me think of a few people I know, and not in the best way. With apologetics it is suppose to help you explain your faith to others and give you facts to back them up, but with these people they put more stock in the facts then in God’s word. It turned me off a bit off as I was beginning to read this book, but I knew that was the wrong way ff thinking and read on. I like that the author made sure to point out that apologetics should be balanced with the Bible.

I think that is where the other folks went wrong; they were unbalanced. I won’t try to say reading this book was easy, at the time it was a hard pill to swallow for me. But on some points I needed it. I’m not sure if I will be getting more apologetics books in the future, but this wasn’t a bad start off.

That’s all I have for today folks, sorry it was so short. I hope you have a blessed Easter!

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

The Calling

I honestly cannot say enough about this book series, and Rachelle Dekker as an author. If you haven't started this heart changing book series by now then you are seriously missing out!

So much has happened since "The Choosing" and there is a time jump of over a year. I found it funny that is almost how long we've been waiting for the release of this book. 

Now back to the main subject here.

Remko has so much weighing on his shoulders, with the leadership of the seers and his marriage to Carrington. Their type of lifestyle is not an easy one with the enemy breathing down their necks. Fear, surrender, and true faith are only a few of the main points made inside this book. Honestly there was so much packed into this 400 page novel I had to take notes for each chapter. This would be a perfect book to use for a bible study or book club. 

So many questions arose as I read the book. About myself, my life, my faith, all of it. It made me take a good look at my fears and ask myself why I was afraid to begin with? 

The trails that Remko and Carrington faced were some of the hardest any person may have to face in this life, and I found myself crying right along side them.

That is another thing about this book that took me by surprise; how the writing style had a way of drawing me in without even realizing it. Just one chapter had me feeling like I was traveling with Remeko through the borders of the Authority, sitting with Carrington in the Seer camp, or trailing beside the bone chilling president Damien Gold. I could barely tell when I had made it to the next chapter. It all flowed together like a forest stream, leading out into a ocean of possibilities. 

When I reached the end I was sobbing, but a little ray of hope came out in the ad saying that the final book in the Seer trilogy will be coming out this fall!!! 

Well folks, that's all I've got for now. Hope to see you next time!

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

As an extra bonus here is a Q&A with Rachelle Dekker.

Q. This book is written from Remko’s perspective. Did you face any challenges writing from a male point-of-view? 

A. There was definitely a looming pressure as I started to write the book. As a woman writer, I wanted to make sure Remko felt masculine and authentic, so I was constantly aware of how he sounded, and how he reacted. Once I got into a flow with his character though, it started to feel more familiar I didn’t have to think about it as much. 

Q. Do you think men and women express and handle fear differently? If so, how? 

A. I believe people handle fear differently, and that gender doesn’t always play a role. I believe more often than not we are all the same, and that we should be encouraged that we never really face anything alone. 

 Q. Carrington struggles with the pain that comes from watching Remko miss the Truth that was so clear to her. What encouragement would you give to others that have loved ones who do not yet share their faith?

 A. Everyone needs to take the journey. For some, truth comes more easily, and others have to struggle to see it. It can be incredibly hard to watch someone you love miss the truth right in front of them, but don’t forget that the Father is still God, and He holds them in His hand. So love those that struggle restlessly and trust that the Father is ever-present, even in the darkness. 7. The theme of identity from The Choosing continues in The Calling. Carrington reminds herself, “When you know who you truly are, you realize there is no war left to fight at all.” How does this statement apply to our Christian faith? 

Q. Do you relate to any of the characters in The Calling in terms of how you’ve faced and handled fear in your life? How so? 

A. For me this is simply a reminder that God is still God. Regardless of my circumstance or how I view the world, the Father is constant and hasn’t changed. He has already won the fight, already conquered death, already set me free. It’s only when I forget who He calls me and who He is that I feel the need to fight against life instead of surrendering to Him and letting Him be God.

Q. What do you hope readers will take away from the story? 

A. I hope they take a moment to see themselves as children of the Father. I hope they see that true freedom and fearlessness rest in surrendering, and that when they stand with the Father than nothing can stand against them. There is incredible peace in that truth, and I hope, like I am beginning the experience, that readers feel that same peace. 

 Q. What can readers expect in the final book of the series? 

A. Characters they know and some new ones I hope they’ll love! More questions of identity, and fear, but the characters will also be looking at forgiveness and letting go. I’m really happy with the way the final book played out, and I’m hoping readers will be as well. 

Siren's Song

The ending to an epic fantasy trilogy. Siren’s Song puts a close to what we’ve all been waiting for.

Dreawolf has waged War on all the hidden lands, and he wants one thing; ultimate power. In a game of chess that could cost everyone their lives. Nym has to lead the Faelen people, but doubts creep in and she wonders if she is leading her people to freedom or to their deaths.

The Storm Siren Trilogy has been interesting, and it covers a lot of topics in just three books. What I found a little odd though was for a christian fiction series I had to really dig to find the reference to the Bible. And the made up cussing, such as “Go to Hulls” may have blocked a little more of it for me. I don’t know what the reasons were the author put that kind of stuff in there, she probably had a good reason, but I personally could have done without it.

Nym’s journey throughout this book reminds me a little bit of Moses, and throughout the whole series I see more of the Old Testament then the New Testament, which was interesting, but again like the other two books before this I really had to dig to find any reference to the Bible.

The theme of this book is Mercy and healing, in many scenes we will see how Mercy, or lack of it, can change the fate of an entire nation. After reading the ending I was left feeling there should be a continuation to this series, maybe there will be, maybe there won’t. I’m not sure.

All in all this book series was good, but I do feel some stuff was lacking, and the focus of the books was a little off. It left me feeling like I had just read a normal YA book I would find in Barnes&Noble, not a teen christian fiction book. That is just my opinion. If you have read these books and feel differently then please leave a comment and tell me how you felt about the books.

Well folks that’s it for today. 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.