Life, Love and Books

Sunburst By Susan May Warren  In the second novel of the Sky ranch Series we find Ranger Kingston on a mission to rescue his brother Colt. To his surprise he recognizes one of his brother's fellow hostages; the one woman he has not been able to forget. Noemi Sutton is on a mission of her own, she was taking her young charge back to be reunited with ther family. But then they was captured by a group of terroiusts that very dark plans for their captives.  Putting the skills that her father drilled into her over the years, Noemi  puts together a plan to escape to get help. But unbeknownst to her, there is a team out  there that is working towards rescuing the captives. Ranger and his fellow team members are able to rescue the captives, but in the midst of the chaos someone falls behind. Noemi is not willing to let her charge fall prey to the terrorist's, so she fights Ranger to go back and help her. This causes them to miss their  pickup time and sends them on a jo...

A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham This is my first time ever reading a book written by Rachel Fordham, I truly love getting to read new to me authors. The first thing that draws me to this book is the cover which portrays an genre that I have loved since I was a little girl, the genre historical.  As you open to the first page you are drawn back to a time when things were very different than they are know. A time when things were more simple, but also women  only had some many choices of what they could do in their life. Our heroine Agnes Pratt has a deep secret that sent her running away from the life that she had dreamed of. It has led her to the small  town of Penance, where she has established herself as the beloved schoolteacher of the their kids. Life has settled into a rhythm for Agnes and she has built friendships in the six years in her new home. But when her life is upset by the arrival of her childhood friend, things turn upside d...

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 ...

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." 

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."

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 ...

When Life doesn't Match Your Dreams by Jill Eileen Smith Life throws us every which way, with twists and turns on the road we are traveling. As young girls we dream of our future and we make plans of who we want to be when we grow up. But then we are faced with reality when things just fall apart in front of us. Our dreams are shattered like a glass that has fallen to the floor. Each of has faced choices that we may have never dreamed of growing up, choices that have changed our path in life. Yet thru all of the things in our life there has been one person there for us-God, he is always on our side.  As an author of several biblical novels, Jill Eileen Smith has brought us her insight from all her time researching  the women of the Old Testament. Some of the women we can learn from is Eve, the first mother; Noah's wife, Sarai, Rachel, Rebekah and many more. Each of these women have something from their lives that we can learn fr...

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...

Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson This book brings to Pre-Civil War Savannah Georgia, to the home of a very staunch Confederate family. We meet Debutante Keziah Montgomery who is being brought out to meet her potential suitors, but her family hides a very deep secret from the public eyes.  This beautiful young woman has lived her life being forced to hide her illness from others. Now she has to be the object of attention for the balls and parties  to come. When one evening she runs into an old classmate that introduces her to a very life changing truth. It is at this moment she feels she can do something to help others out of the circumstances by becoming an conductor in the underground railroad.  Dr Micah Greyson never dreamed he would come back home and run into his childhood classmate at a ball.  But the moment Keziah waltzes back in to his life, he is taken in by her beauty and reminded why he...

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...

He Calls You Beautiful  "Hearing the Voice of Jesus in the Song Of Songs" by Dee Brestin "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine" a Quote from Song of Solomon. This Quote comes from one of the most misunderstood books of the bible. It seems it gets overlooked by so many in the church. Dee Brestin takes the time to break this book down to help us understand it. God wrote us a love song that shows us how much love He has for us as His children.  I love that she takes the chapter and breaks it down to where we can understand it. It does not matter if we are single, married or widowed, we are all alike in God's eyes. One of His Beloved!!!   This book can be used as an in depth bible study in a group setting or alone. I would recommend this book for all women to read.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging For Books and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*

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...

The One True Love of Alice Ann  by Eva Marie Everson This is the first book I have read by Eva Marie Everson, the thing that drew me to the book was the story line based during WWII. When I picked up the book and started to read it, I was drawn in to the story about a young girl during a time that was in a upheaval. I went thru a time period where like Alice Ann, I had a crush on a guy who had no interest in me. As the story progresses Alice Ann corresponds with her elder brothers friend Mack, that has been shipped overseas to fight the war. Letter writing was one of the ways to share news from home to the guys on the war front during that time period. Which compared to now days we have email, social media, cell phones, where we can just share news at the drop of a hat. The boys on the war front loved getting mail and packages from back home. In this story the letters that passed between Alice Ann and these two young men shared so much news of life on the front and at home...

An Encounter with the Saviour thru the Women of Easter!! A Review of Women of Easter by Liz Curtis Higgs. "This Season of Grace, Deepen Your Faith in God Who So Loved the World that He Gave Us His Son."    A quote from Amazon   As I read this book it gave me more insight into the Easter story, a very different outlook. Liz breaks down each verse and brings it to life with her writing. We meet the women who followed our Lord thru his journey to the cross. Mary, mother of Jesus, Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene are just a few of the women that are spoken about. Each of these women played a special part in the ministry and journey of Jesus Christ. It amazes me how much women are held highly by our Lord. He cared enough to speak to the women and provide comfort for them even in his time of suffering. He put aside his cares to think of provision for his mother while he was on the cross. Then he chose to appear to a very shaken up  Mary Magdalene after his...

Long Time Gone by Mary Connealy Mary Connealy has taken us on another wild adventure that has excitement from the first page to the end of the last page. We  have met the Boden family in the first book in the series "No Way up, where we found out that their was someone out to get rid of the family.  The second installment follows the second brother Justin, as he takes over the care of the ranch; while Cole is laid up from being shot. Justin is still trying to deal with the thoughts that someone is out there wanting to kill each of the members of the Boden family. As new facts come to light, he starts to realize that anyone close to the family could be in more danger than before. Choosing to protect, he try's to push away the one female that has caught his eye and literally fell into his life. Angie is not looking to get married again, she just wants to be stronger person than she was before she came to the west.  But it seems that God had other plans for these two ...

Grace and the Preacher by Kim Vogel Sawyer The newest book from Kim Vogel Sawyer was very much one of the most interesting ones I have read. She pulled a storyline together and was able to share the message of standing up for what was right in the face of wrong. I love that there were two romances in the storyline, an older couple and the younger couple.  Grace gave up on finding her true love and had settled in her position as the postmistress for the town of Fairland. But when her beloved uncle chooses to step down from the pulpit and let a younger preacher take over his congregation. When the responsibility of corresponding to the new preacher was handed over to Grace, she took it on like all of her other duties. As time passed the letters increased, Grace grew eager to meet the new preacher. Theophil made a choice and now his past is trying to catch up with him. Ten years ago his cousins planned a train robbery and convinced Theo to help them. B...