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.

Befriend

When I got this book I was going through a rough time, struggling in all my friendships and wondering if friendship was even worth what it seemed to cost me. I saw the summery of this book, it asked the same question I had been for months "Is friendship worth it?"

I got the book ASAP, and when I started it I thought it was going to give me the answers I was looking for. Sadly it didn't.

Befriend is a book about finding the friendship you have in Christ, and how to be a friend to the various types of people, including the ones you may not like. Each section is filled with helpful advice with questions to challenge you and your friends if you decide to read this in a group. Which I personally recommend doing, it will help all of you grow closer.

I loved the book, but compared to what I read on the back of it's cover it was different from what I was hoping to find. It's still a wonderful book on how to be a friend, but if you are someone like me asking the question, "is friendship worth the cost?", then you'll need to find another book. 

Befriend deals more with how to be a friend, which is a helpful thing to know for many people and why I still like this book and highly recommend it, just don't expect it to be what the back cover describes. 

That's all for today folks. 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.

Precious Moments prayer Bible

Precious Moments was a part of my childhood. The brand holds many fond memories for me and when I saw this Bible I could not help getting it, not just for myself, but for the kids I work with in children's choir and hopefully one day my own children.

This sweet NKJV Bible is filled with prayers for your kids to learn, ones for hope, school, family, I was surprised at how many. I even used one of them to encourage a friend when she was really down and stressed. So for all you adults out there you won't be bored out of your mind, or wondering if this will go beyond just the childhood years.

The print size I adored! Very easy to read for kids and adults, and with the NKJV your kids will have fun looking up what some of these words mean, but still get a good idea of what's being said if they don't.

I do recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good Bible for their kids or many for your church nursery. The hard cover will hold up under pressure and the full color illustrations will keep younger children interested.

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.

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.

Guide me Home

Kim Vogel Sawyer brings us another historical fiction that brings the reader into a world where times are hard, family is all you have, and accidents happen far too easily. Leaving those behind to handle the pain and the guilt.

Tragedy leaves Rebekah's family in shatters. Nothing is the same, and their all struggling to make it one day after the next. In an attempt to help her family Rebekah dresses as a man and takes a job as a guide through the beautiful, yet dangerous, Kentucky Mammoth mountain caves. The stakes are high, but Rebekah is willing to do what it takes to heal her family. 

I have made no secret that I am a fan of Kim Sawyer's books, but I can't say this one is a favorite. Like all of her books I have read this one was good, but to me it dragged a little. 

A lot of detail was put in to describe the Mammoth caves and surrounding areas. Yet I felt the characters hardly moved from point A to point B throughout the entire novel. I wanted to watch the characters grow, to get to a better place then where they were. And I did, but it moved in such a slow pace that it felt unnatural.

It's still a good book. New and old fans of Kim Sawyer will enjoy this heartwarming story. So if you're looking for a good historical read I suggest this book for sure.

That's all I have for now. 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 Returning

Rachelle Dekker’s series comes to an end in this last amazing book in The Seer series. It took me a week after getting the book to finally read it. As long as I didn’t read it then the stories and characters I had come to love wouldn’t over. I guess it just goes to show all good things must come to an end.

Rachelle’s Christian fiction has made me laugh, but mostly I have cried from the beauty of it. The story in this third book I was afraid would be sad, seeing how The Calling left me bawling after I finished it. I did still cry with this one, but for many reasons that would take a little too long to go into.

The message of the Seer series rings clear and true, as in the previous two books, leaving a legacy of hope and love for those who make the choice. What I love most about this book is it speaks to believers who are in the middle of a heavy storm.

For those of us who have to make the choice of living out our faith or following our own path when our world is crumbling around us The Returning is a book you need to read.

With clear writing and expert storytelling from this author’s first series I find myself ready to read this series over, and sharing it with all of my friends. Rachelle Dekker is the type of writer I wish to be one day. The type of writer who can spread the true love of Christ through amazing stories not just for believers, but for the none believers too.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I’m going to have a really hard time waiting to see if Rachelle will write any more books. I truly hope she does.

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.

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.