Life, Love and Books

Standoff By Patricia Bradley In the newest book by Patricia Bradley, she takes us to the Natchez Trace and we meet the Park Rangers that serve that area. Brooke Danvers is getting ready to change positions and join her father as a Park Ranger. Before she can be sworn in her father is found dead and his death is ruled a suicide.  Determined to find out who killed her father, Brooke starts investigating on her own with the assistance of her childhood friend Luke Fereday. Luke has been working as an undercover park ranger, trying to infiltrate a drug origination to stop the flow of drugs into the area. When he gets a phone call from Brookes dad informing him of a drug drop. But he arrives on the scene to late to help his old friend, determined to figure out who killed Brooke's dad.  When Luke realizes that Brooke has now became the target of the person who killed her father, he has to do the r...

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson When she goes looking for a place to find healing, Dillon Michaels thought she would be able to find it by returning to her childhood home. But when she arrives she finds her mother has taken over her childhood bedroom.  Resigned to sleeping on the couch, Dillon is not sure if this is the best thing to do, when she has to sleep on the couch for a time period. But when her dear aging grandfather gifts her with a very unique present of a rundown vintage camper, things start to look up for her. With the help of the handsome local hardware store owner, Jordan Atwood, they embark on a project that may lead to something more.  When she thinks things are starting to look up for her, in walks her ex-boyfriend with flowers and a ring. Will Dillon be able to find the healing she has been searching for  so long. This book is full of fun, love and a very quirky cast of characters that will have you wanting more. "I voluntarily re...

The Runaway Bride By Jody Hedlund In the second installment to The Bride Ship series, we return to the colony of British Columbia. With the shortage of women to men, the bride ships brought over eligible women that would marry the men in the colony. We meet wealthy Arabella Lawrence, who has ran away on her wedding day from the man she does not love. Her hope is she will find a  gentleman in her social circles, who will provide for her and love her. But she does not want to rush into a marriage and make the same mistakes she did before. As the town baker, Peter Kelly has put his all into building his business, now he has his eyes set on finding a bride from the newly arrived bride ship. When he meets Arabella for the first time, he is taken by her inner beauty. Peter than resolves to pursue Arabella and woo her, but his pursuit for her is thwarted by the savvy Lieutenant Richard Drummond. When the Navy Lieutenant Richard Drummond starts sh...

Claim Your Crown by Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien Young Women in todays society are living in a world that teaches them to be dissatisfied with their body image. Society's standards say that we need to look, act or be a certain way and at times it is a double standard. Deep down inside they are longing for more then what is offered by the people around them.  In this book we meet a beautiful young lady who has faced some insecurities of her own and has overcome them. By using her deep insight on the many subjects that touch young women today, she brings some new light to each of these that helps us to understand it better.  By dismantling lies and myths that have been fed to us by society, Tarah helps us to see the truth that our heavenly Father. By bringing us to a better understanding of how He loves us so much that He longs to bestow a crown on each of our beautiful heads. I would recommend this book to all young women to read!! "I voluntarily ...

An Amish Christmas Bakery by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Kelly Irvin Sorry I am a little late on sharing this review, but I think we need a little Christmas Cheer at the beginning of this new year.  Cookies and Cheer by Amy Clipston Alyssa Byler has amazing ideas for the bakery store display window, for this Christmas season she comes up with the idea of a Sugar cookie Nativity scene. She reaches out to the local blacksmith's son, Kyle Smoker to make the much needed cookie cutters. When the display brings in more customers than the bakery can handle, Alyssa starts to put in more hours at work then she has time for. While Kyle is starting to feel overwhelmed by the amount of orders that are coming in for the cookie cutters. Will Kyle and Alyssa be able to put aside the craziness of the holiday rush to see what it is right in front of them? Will they be able to see the beauty of Christmas and the love it bring to us?...

Your 100 Words of Affirmation Your Husband Needs to Hear by Lisa Jacobson For all those women out there searching for some hope toward learning how to boost you husband here is a book to help you find the words to say. Each of us have the power to build each other up or tear each other down. Marriage is one of those places where our relationships are more at danger for this. We have a purpose to speak encouraging words into those who are in our lives. Or we can cause harm to those around us, that can hurt those we love dearly. Make the choice to build those around you up with words of affirmation. "I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher. A favorable review was not required, all views expressed are my own." 

100 Words of Affirmation Your Wife Needs to Hear by Matt Jacobson For all those men out there searching for some hope toward learning how to boost you wife, here is a book to help you find the words to say. Each of us have the power to build each other up or tear each other down. Marriage is one of those places where our relationships are more at danger for this. We have a purpose to speak encouraging words into those who are in our lives. Or we can cause harm to those around us, that can hurt those we love dearly. Make the c hoice to build those around you up with words of affirmation. "I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher. A favorable review was not required, all views expressed are my own." 

. Always Look Twice by Elizabeth Goddard In the second installment to the Uncommon Justice series, we return to the wilderness of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  It opens with a bear, a camera and a eyewitness to a murder! Harper Reynolds is on a sabbatical from her job, when in the midst of getting a award worthy shot  movement catches her eye. Now she is running from the killer that she just witnessed shooting a unknown woman. Heath McCade is now a reserve sheriff deputy in his home county, but he did not expect to have a witness fall right into his path. While he is out with a wilderness group from his ranch retreat;  something catches his attention in the woods. His dear childhood friend, Harper; was back in his life as fast as she had disappeared years before. Harper is devastated to hear that all the evidence of  the crime that she has witnessed has  disappeared. Now she is determined to ...

Strong Brave Loved by Holley Gerth Author Holley  Gerth takes her writing to the another level in this devotional/journal. She touches us deep, where the longing is intense to be a confident and victorious woman. This devotional takes us on that journey toward finding the woman we want to be in our lives. Toward becoming Strong to stand our ground, Brave enough to face the battles in front of us and Loved deep enough to take the leap of faith. We all struggle with fears and insecurities in our lives, this devotional helps us to take a moment and get the hope we need. This devotional is a must read for women of all ages, I would recommend it for all to read. "I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the  publisher. A favorable review was not required, all views expressed are my own."

                100 Ways to Love your Wife by Matt Jacobson This book is a companion to 100 Ways to Love your Husband, by Lisa Jacobson the wife of Matt Jacobson. It is a very simple read that gives you tips on loving your wife as a husband. Maybe you are preparing to enter into marriage or just looking for something to help you learn to love your wife better. This book is for you men!! I love that it is very simple and not a very long read. The 100 ways are going to be a blessing to wives and husbands all around. I would recommend this to men of all ages to read.         "I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell. A favourable review was not required, all the views expressed are my own. "

Listening to Love by Beth Wiseman   In the second installment of the Amish Journey series, we find englischer Natalie Collins and Lucas; the older brother of Levi Sheltar having friday night suppers together. As time passes, the two have become very much best friends to the concern of their family and dear friends Levi and Mary. The opinions of those around them, starts to frustrate Natalie, who adamantly says that it is friendship only. But deep down she is realizing that her feelings have grown toward love for Lucas.  Lucas loves getting to talk with Natalie in the late night hours, but time has come that he has to face the truth of the struggle between their two ways of life. To leave would cause so much pain for his family. Also he knows that asking Natalie to walk away from her plan to become a veterinarian, would break her heart. But the more time they spend together the truth starts coming out that they have feelings for each other When Natal...

                  Until The Mountains Fall (Cities of Refuge Book 3) by Connilyn Cossette In the third installment of the Cities of Refuge series we revisit Kedesh, where Malakhi is now faced with marrying the one woman he has loved since he was a child. The only thing is she had been  his older brothers wife, who was now a widow and being commanded by the law to marry the younger brother of her deceased husband. Rivkah has no interest in marrying her deceased beloveds  younger brother and makes a decision to flee the city of her childhood. With plans of using her talents as a scribe to provide for herself, she escapes what she thinks is going to be her worst nightmare. There is a price for leaving the protection of her father and the safety of the city of refuge, this price takes a toll on Rivkah. After the disappearance of the one woman he has ever loved, Malakhi throws himself into t...

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer In the second book of the Patchwork Family series, by Karen Witemeyer; we follow Zacharias Hamilton to Honey Grove. It is here we meet the heroine Abigail  Kemp, who is fighting to save her family business from being closed by the town. Seeing no way out, she makes a decision  to marry the most eligible bachelor in Honey Grove. With a contract in hand she sets out to propose to Zacharias.  The bakery has been a favorite place for Zacharias to go get his favorite breakfast bun. It also was a treat for him to be served by the pretty baker that made them. But he has no plans toward settling  down anytime soon. When faced with the  dilemma, he makes the choice to accept Abigail's proposal to have a marriage of convenience. What they both did not count on was the attraction that starts to brew between them.  Something I love about this book is the heroine is a curvy girl, who feels no ...

Breaking the Power of Negative Words by Mary C. Busha Growing up I have always heard the old adage " Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will not ever hurt me". In my experience words have been very harming to me and the ones I love.  Other times words have been used to encourage me or have been brought together to entertain us. This book helps us to turn around the negative words that have been spoken over our lives and find healing in positive words.  Mary C. Busha gives us steps toward finding healing from the barrage of negative words that have built up in our lives. She also gives us accounts of other people who have struggled and overcome the negativity in their own lives. At the end of each chapter, there is questions to answer that help you apply the concepts to your life.  I would recommend this book to anyone dealing with the negative words that have harmed us from childhood to present. Healing is obtainable, we...

An Amish Homecoming: Four Stories Stories about homecoming are very heartwarming and stir us toward hope for all. Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Shelley Shepard Gray and Kathleen Fuller come together to bring us this wonderful book.  No Place Like Home Amy Clipston Estranged from her parents, Eva Dienner has been staying with her in-laws. since she lost her husband. Now she feels it is time for her son to meet his maternal grandparents. Upon arriving back at her parents, she finds that the neighbor has been doing a lot of the work on the farm. Unsure of how she feels about this situation and how to put her past behind her? When Love Returns Beth Wiseman Sarah Zook is forced to move back to her parents, when the Hurricane Harvey destroys her home. Her return raises feelings that Abram King thought was buried forever. One look at Sarahs daughter tells him the truth, that he still loves Sarah. Now they need to find a way to face the past to b...

Amish Celebrations by Beth Wiseman In the newest addition to the books written by Beth Wiseman is Amish Celebrations. Four stories in one that brings hope to all of us who love a good story.  The Gift of Sisters , We meet a set of Twins getting ready to enjoy their rumschpringe together. Both are different as night and day, but when they meet a new guy in their community things start getting hairy. With each young women falling for the same guy, it drives the sisters apart from each other. Will they see that the bond between them is the love doe each other? A New Beginning A young couple in love and ready to be baptized into the church, when one night out on his rumschpringe makes his beloved question their future. As they navigate the turns and twists of the road of relationships, will they be able to see the hope and light at the end of the tunnel.  A Perfect Plan When her beloved pops the question on her 19th bday, Priscilla starts planning her w...

Judah's Wife: The Silent Years #2 By Angela Hunt In the second installment of "The Silent Years" series we meet a young Leah on the eve of the time for a choice to be made of who is to be her husband. To her surprise the man who had rescued her and her friend from a young group of Hellene's. This man that her father has chosen for her to marry, is her way out of the home of strife and contempt. But then the peace that Leah has longed for is interrupted by Judah's Father's plan resist the King's decree. This resistance leads to a war that costs her father in laws life and put Judah, in charge of the resistance.  The one thing Leah has longed for is a home that is full of peace is being taken from her by her husbands choice to fulfill his fathers dying wish. She can not understand why her new family has chosen to stand for the One True God. Also, Leah does not understand what kind of God would destroy her chance at peace.  This story is told th...

How We Love "Discover Your Love Style, Enhance Your Marriage" by Milan and Kay Yerkovich Are you ready to take a new journey of love? Are you struggling in your marriage? Looking for a way to help your marriage? This is the book for all couples who are struggling to relate with their spouse. The Authors explore each of the spouses childhood and how it has created a an imprint that affects each of us in our marriage's. This book dives into our core patterns that we struggle to merge together when we come together as a couple. It breaks down the love styles into simple explanations that we can understand. By taking time to apply the principles we have learned thru reading this book.  The book is very long, but it is worth the time spent reading it. I would very much recommend this book to any couple. It could be the one thing you are looking for to help you in your marriage.  *I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging For Books and wa...

Peace in the Valley  by Ruth Logan Herne Ruth Logan Herne has brought another heartwarming cowboy story to us. The Stafford Family is made of three brothers with all different lifes, that is connected by their rancher father and the town. Trey the youngest brother is the famous musical singer, Lucy is the distrustful neighbor that has suffered from the greed of his adopted father. Each of these characters are very well developed that they draw us each into their story. It is a story that touches the heart and makes us fall in love with Ruth Logan Herne's writings. The third novel in the Double S Ranch series, brings back home to the ranch the youngest of the Stafford sons. Knowing he owes his life to the legendary rancher Sam Stafford, Trey Walker Stafford returns to save Sam's life. Having left the ranch to pursue a musical career against the advice of his adopted father. Now Trey returns home with fame and success on his heels, still struggling to get over the tra...

Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette The sequel to the Out From  Egypt  is Wings of the Wind, just like the first two books we are introduced to some very amazing characters. Several characters from the first two books have a part in this book, along with meeting Tobiah and Alanah. The dedication and love of Tobiah is very touching to the heart. A man who would choose to take a stranger as a wife,  to provide protection for her from the dangers around them. Alanah is very strong and determined woman who has never seen what true love looks like in her life. Raised in a household full of men, with not knowing a touch of a woman since she was a little girl. Two very different characters that meet in a very dangerous situation and overcome many obstacles in their path to love.   I love reading biblical fiction, Connilyn Cossette takes a fresh look into the bible stories of our childhoods. As I was reading this book, I delighted in learning more abou...