David Jeremiah's Morning and Evening Devotions

I hadn't heard of the author David Jeremiah until I heard my sister mention she was a fan of his books. I took a peak, but nothing really caught my fancy. Then, months later, I noticed my Sunday school teacher saying that she read his books as well, and even said I would enjoy them, still I didn't pick one up. 

It was only when I noticed that nearly everyone I knew that liked to read had read at least one of his books. I wondered what I was missing out on, and when this book became open to review on BookLook I decided to give it a chance.

Summery

 

"Encounter the Living God Every Day

You can find sanctuary despite any circumstances because of God’s life-changing promises.

Chaos rules our world. Whether you’re dealing with work stress, family issues, health problems, or just the challenges of daily life, peace can be elusive. However, when you focus on the One who created the universe and everything in it, you realize that nothing is impossible with Him.

Trusted Bible teacher David Jeremiah guides you on a simple yet powerful journey through Scripture as you spend devotional time with the Savior twice a day. Drink deeply of God’s Word so that you, too, thrive in your spiritual walk"

 

I read this book on and off for a long time, and I very much enjoyed the book. The teachings, at least from what I read, were sound and matched with God's teachings. I was reminded somewhat of my Sunday school teacher and the way I learned under her, and I think that helped me like it more.

I also love the material this hardcover book is made out of! If you're getting this for a book lover they will appreciate the stellar quality this book is made out of.

That's all I have for now, as usual have a blessed week!

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

Tranquility

I'm not one much for coloring books, haven't gotten into them before, until I saw this book.

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 SUMMERY

"Tranquility: A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal invites you to mix creative journaling and coloring into your personal time with God. Prayers that focus on topics such as being thankful, dealing with stress and heartache, caring for yourself and others, listening for God’s leading, and waiting patiently on Him will guide your thoughts and calm your spirit. Filled with more than 100 designs to color, plenty of space for journaling, and 40 needs-based prayers, Tranquility will help you express your devotion to God with your whole heart."

I saw this book, and because my friend was into coloring I decided to give it a try. I really enjoyed the small prompts for prayer as I wrote inside the journal. And the coloring didn't hinder from the enjoyable experience, like I had thought it would.

I will be getting this for a few of my friends later down the line, and maybe keeping a spare to share with someone I may meet later in my life. A very good gift in my opinion!  

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

Bringing Maggie Home

I have been a fan of Kim Vogel Sawyer since I started the blogging for books program over three years ago now. Sad to see this wonderful program go, this will be my last review for this program, and I'm glad I get to end it with such a wonderful book.

I have not written a review in a while, so forgive me if it's not as detailed as usual or if there are a few grammar errors (people get rusty ever time!).

Most of Kim Vogel Swayers books, or at least the ones I have read, are usually historical fiction and I love that! When I began to read this one I wasn't sure what to make of the contemporary setting of the story, but my worry was for nothing. The story is about family, one of the best I have seen in a while. Usually when it comes to books about generations of family it can go one of two ways; Either there are so many characters its impossible to keep track of everyone, or key characters get pushed to the back.

I thought the ladder was going to be the case with "Bringing Maggie Home", especially when the two main characters seemed to be the grandmother and the granddaughter. kind of like the book by Sarah Loudin Thomas "A Tapestry of Secrets", boy was I glad to be proven wrong!

In the end I was really pleased with this book, and it has become another favorite. I wish I had more to say on the matter, but what more can I say? The book has won my heart and if you're into mystery, contemporary, historical, or just a fan of Kim Vogel Sawyer you'll love this book!

That's all I've got for now, hope y'all have a blessed day!

I received this book from in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.

Without Warning

Lynette Eason has enraptured me with her mystery/suspense series "Elite Guardians".  I've had a hard time putting any of them down. I'm sad it's taken me this long to get my review up about this amazing book.

"Katie Singleton, a partner with the Elite Guardians Protection Agency, stumbles upon her next assignment quite by accident. Spotting blue lights at a familiar restaurant, she stops to investigate, only to discover that owner Daniel Matthews has become the target of someone who will go to any lengths to put him out of business.

Daniel might be concerned, but he's not convinced that a bodyguard--and a female one at that--is necessary. A new attack and his niece's urgings are enough to make him reconsider. He and Katie must figure out who's behind the intimidation and threats--before a would-be killer strikes again."

I have loved this series for many reasons, but the main one has to be the characters like Katie. She suffers a past that still effects her in present day, that's not unusual in stories today, the rare gem about this character is that she is not instantly healed. 

People who have something traumatic happen do not recover in a day, in a month, or even a year. Most cases it takes a lifetime and even then it never fully goes away. 

Katie gave me the impression that her trauma couldn't just be stuffed away or ignored, and it was truly apart of her character, shaping her into the person she had become. Finding that type of reality in a book is not as easy as you would think.

I won't spoil more for y'all, but I do highly suggest getting this book series from your local bookstore or library. It truly is perfect for people looking for a book that will keep you up all night in the need to see how it ends.

that's all I have for now. I hope y'all enjoyed my opinions and I hope you have a blessed day!

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

Grace and the Preacher

I have been a fan of Kim Sawyer's books since I got "What once was Lost" when I first began blogging, and so far I have looked forward to each one of her books and have bought a few older ones too. So when I read the plot-line for "Grace and the Preacher" I was ecstatic.

"Mistaken identity leads to romance, laughter, and second chances in this inspirational historical romance.

At the age of twenty-three, postmistress Grace Cristler has all but given up hope of finding a husband among the narrowing group of eligible men in her town of Fairland, Kansas. But when her uncle decides to retire from the pulpit, Grace is responsible for corresponding with the new preacher set to take his place. She can’t deny the affection growing in her heart for Reverend Rufus Dille—a man she deeply admires but has only met through his letters.
 
Theophil Garrison is on the run from his past. Ten years ago his outlaw cousins convinced him to take part in a train robbery, but Theo fled the scene, leaving his cousins to face imprisonment. Now they’ve finished their sentences, but the plan for vengeance has just begun. Branded a coward and running for his life, Theo has aa chance encounter that could provide him with the escape he needs.  
 
But the young man’s desperate con might come at an enormous price for the tenderhearted Grace—and the entire town. Will Grace’s undeserved affection and God’s mercy make something beautiful from the ashes of Theo’s past?"

As I said earlier I truly looked forward to this book, and in the end it was a really good book, but I'm afraid the writing was slow. Maybe I have read too many fast paced books, but even compared to Kim Sawyer's previous works I noticed it took a little while for the plot to pick up the pace.

I still love the story, the book  in of itself is wonderful, but if you're a first time reader, or getting it for first time reader, of Kim Vogel Sawyer I would suggest getting one of her other books.

you can check out my reviews of her other books on my blog, Birdy's House, and you'll find I can hardly give them enough praise. 

That's all I've got for now. Until next time I hope y'all have a blessed week!

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

Heart on the Line

The first book in "The Women of Harper's Station" was a game changer in Karen Witemyer's books. None of her works that I have read before came close; now we have book 2 in the series and I can most assuredly say it is a book to look forward to!

Grace Mallory gave up everything for the sake of doing what was right, fleeing her home into the safety of the women's colony of Harper's Station, but now the enemy has found her and is more the willing to bring the fight to a colony of "defenseless" women. What Grace didn't expect was help from a friend she'd only communicated with over the telegram wires.

I loved the first book, but this one hit the sensitive parts of my heart so hard. isn't the most muscular guy in town. What caught my attention the most in this book was how the author made a point to make the characters more...human. Grace could still find someone handsome and get a little goo goo eyed over a handsome man, but she'd come to her senses quick enough. Or Amos, he had to battle a lot that he couldn't win by getting in a fist fight and that drove him crazy sometimes. It showed these characters had limitations, and they knew it too. Very few books bring up this fact, let alone having it written it in such a way that the characters have to realistically face these challenges.

I also enjoyed getting to see the story from three different points of view; yes, there is another main character in this story besides Grace and Amos, but I won't spoil who it is. Just know I had to battle who I loved reading from, Amos, Grace, or the third character! It took all I had to not speed read just to get to the next character's point of view. oh so very hard...

So you readers know you don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one, but I would recommend getting it from the bookstore or library, as some things will make a bit more sense if you do read it.

well everyone, that's all I have for today. I hope you enjoyed the review.

Until next time, 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. 

Freedom's price

One thing I can say about Christine Johnson is that she creates a different story each time she writes a book. Each time I pick up one of her books I am amazed that it feels like I'm reading a completely new book, even though it's set in the same series. It's beyond refreshing when I read the Key West series. 

Summery

"When Englishwoman Catherine Haynes loses both her parents and her home in 1856, she decides to cross the Atlantic to find her American mother's family in Louisiana. She enlists the help of Tom Worthington, a dashing Key West man who makes his living salvaging wrecked ships, but whose real goal in life is to bring to justice the man who stole his father's ship and caused his untimely death.

When Catherine finally arrives at her family's plantation, she finds it in disarray and her family absent landowners. Torn between returning to Key West with Tom or beginning the hard work of restoring the plantation, Catherine soon finds herself snared in a plot to steal her inheritance. When an incredible secret comes to light, both she and Tom will face a choice. Can they relinquish the dreams that have been holding them captive in order to step forward in faith--even if it costs them everything?"

Each of the Key West books has turned out better then its predecessor, that still holds true to Freedom's Price. You might need to read the previous books to understand what's going on, but then again you could read this amazing book without knowing what happened in the other ones. This one was more emotional then the last two, and I found my heart being wrenched out by the beautiful flow of words. This isn't a book to miss!

That's all I've got for today folks, I hope y'all have been encouraged to read this wonderful series. Until next time I hope you have a blessed day!

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

The Noble servent

Melanie Dickerson has provided many readers, myself included, with Christian fairytale retellings. With the main fairytales, like Cinderella, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, along with most of well known fairy tales I wondered what Melanie would pull out of her hat next. 

"The Noble Servant" is a retelling of the Grimm Brothers fairytale "The goose girl" and the beginning you meet Magdalen of Mallin, a poor barons daughter. She has to find a way to care for her people, for her family, and so when a letter arrives saying the Duke of Wolfburg has asked for her hand in marriage Magdalen believes this is the answer to her prayers. 

Sadly, on the journey to Wolfburg, Magdalin's handmaiden forces her to switch places. But Magdalin isn't the only one having to keep secrets; a young shepherd at Wolfburg also has something to hide. Can Magdalen trust this boy, or is he yet another person out to deceive her?

All of Melanie Dickerson's books have been wonderful, but something about "The Noble Servant" has really touched my heart. Many of girls are like Magdalen; We're nobility, yet seem unwanted and the world unfair to us. Still, amid all the struggles we are refined into our better selves. 

I cannot honestly give enough praise to this book, it is the best one I have yet to read. Many reviewers probably say this, but I mean it! Even the writing, which in previous reviews I have mentioned it being a bit slow paced, was perfectly executed in this one. The ending did feel a little rushed, but it's a small blip in this fantastic continuation to the series.

If you are new to the series I suggest at least reading "The Beautiful Pretender" before picking up this one, as it is referenced quiet a bit, but you can get through and enjoy the book without it.

That's all for today folks. Until next time, I hope you have a blessed week!

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

SandPiper Cove

Irene Hannon has caught my attention with her Hope Harbor series, and after the previous book there was no way I was missing out on the next one, and boy was it worth the wait!

Being the police chief is not a simple job; it's harder for Lexie Graham raising her teenage son. You don't have time for things like romance, even less so when a case of vandalism is popping up all over Hope Harbor. Yet enter in ex-con Adam Stone, he's not looking for love either, let alone the police chief. Yet when circumstances bring them together sparks fly.

This type of relationship falls outside the normal type of relationships you'd find in christian romance, so I couldn't wait to see how Irene Hannon would handle this tricky situation. She did an amazing job of presenting both the attraction and the challenges to be dealt with between them.

The book couldn't have been better, and if you're looking for a good book to take on a road trip, a long flight, or just snuggle up at home then pick this one up. You won't be sorry!

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.

A sweet Compact KJV Bible

I've been trying to find a decent little Bible to take with me to Bible Study. My teacher always reads from the KJV so I needed one that would be compact, but readable.

I have enjoyed having this Bible fit into my purse or bag. The text is readable and there are two ribbons for placeholders (Which I use a lot!) and the cloth over bored feels really nice. If you're wanting to find a good little Bible for yourself or a friend in the KJV I would recommend this one. There is also one in a teal color if you don't care for purple.

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

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