Life, Love and Books

Nine by Rachelle Dekker A secret organization with alternative agenda and a young girl with missing memories make for an very intriguing  read. From the first page to the last page in this book, will leave you wanting to know what is going to happen next. We meet Zoe, a young woman who has created a different life for herself, then one day in a young girl walks into the small town café. All this dazed young teenager can say is that she has to find a woman in Corpus Christi. Faced with a decision Zoe has to choose does she help this lost girl or just walk away. But deep down inside Zoe sees herself in this teenager. now she has to face  the things she has left behind. As they go on the run from the enemy, they have to make choices of who they can trust and who not to trust. I truly love reading books written by Rachelle Dekker, she writes a story that has twists and turns that will leave you breathless. I was given a complimentary copy of...

Woman of Sunlight by Mary Connealy It is always a delight to read another book by Mary Connealy, she writes stories that capture us and will not let us go . Her latest series Brides of Hope Mountain does not disappoint us. In the second installment to the series, we find Ilsa Nordegren getting stir crazy after a long recovery from an illness. The Warden family had blown into the sisters lives turning their quiet oasis into a uproar. But what the sisters never thought they would find was love. , Mitch returned home a rich man looking to reunite with his family, but he finds the family homestead abandoned. When he finally locates his family up in the mountains, to his surprise he finds they have found sanctuary with three sisters. The youngest sister black haired  Ilsa catches his eye and intrigues him.   When the danger follows Mitch up into the mountains, he has to face the truth that he needs to find whoever has a price on ...

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 ...

End Game by Rachael Dylan This author does not disappoint a suspense reader, she writes a book that  you will not be able to put down. In the installment of Capital Intrigue we meet so many cool new characters, that I hope we will get to know more about in the next book. We meet FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini as they are dealing with a killer who is targeting elite members of the military. When all the evidence starts pointing a member of the elite SEAL team, but something does not still seem like they have found there suspect. As the team is formed to dive deeper into the evidence, they started to realize that they may have found a bigger mystery than just a few murders. As Marco and Bailey start finding more clues that are pointing to a bigger cover up, then just several murders. When Bailey is targeted by someone, it becomes clearer that whoever is behind all of this is willing to do anything t...

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?...

  Words of Comfort for Women by Carolyn Larsen This 90 day devotional brings us women words of comfort in a dark and busy world that seems to just overwhelm us each day. Each devotional is a brief read that can be included in with your daily bible reading. It deals with many different subjects that we women struggle with in our daily walk. It will remind you that you don't have to succumb to the loneliness, fear and anxiety around us. Gods presence is there in our lives during those troubling times we each face. I would recommend this devotional to all women of all walks of life. "I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher. A favorable review was not required, all views expressed are my own." 

Protecting Tanner Hollow By Lynette Eason Lynette Eason brings four suspense filled novellas in one book. From a old flame returning home, a witness to a murder, a mother on the run to protect her children and a forensic supervisor with a target on her back. Each of these stories interconnect thru out the book, bringing it to the end with the last story.  You do not feel as if you are left wanting to know where the other couples have went in life, they each have a cameo in the next novella till the end. This is something I loved about this book, Lynette gives you glimpses into the lives of the couples. This book will keep you turning the pages till the end of the book. "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 ...

  She Prays by Debbie Lindell We are invited on a 31 day journey toward experiencing a more confident relationship with our Lord that opens up  conversations.  Debbie Lindell opens the door by showing us women how to  take the pressure to perform a certain way off of ourselves. By trusting in a God that He is very much delighted to hear our every word and hearts cry. Her biggest desire is to help us as women see that our soul can be transformed as our confidence in prayer grows. Also that our faith is strengthened as we see God working in our lives. I love that Debbie Lindell has a hearts desire for us a women to have a deeper relationship with our heavenly father. We as women are created to long for companionship and conversation. Our Lord longs for us to have that heart to heart conversation with him each day of our daily walk. "I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher. A favorable review was not...

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."

Unscripted by Davis In the latest release by award winning author Davis Bunn, we meet the main characters Danny Boyd and Megan Pierce. It delves into the glittering world of Hollywood with the storyline. Both characters are dealing with brokenness and seeking redemption in their lives. Danny is a line producer who is well known in the movie production world for being savvy and creative in getting projects done. As a LA lawyer, Megan has put her all into proving to impossible bosses that she can get the job done. When life throws these two go-getter a curveball, they each have to take a second look at their careers and lives. With his reputation in tatters, Danny is given the one chance to redeem himself and restore what was lost.  An unbeatable opportunity drops into Megan's lap, she realizes that she needs to grab it.  Megan has to take Danny's case and defend him in court; but they didn't realize that they bo...

       

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...

               Cross My Heart By Robin Lee Hatcher In Cross My Heart, we meet Ashley, the owner of a horse rescue farm and Ben, who is starting up a equine therapy farm. When Ashley and Ben first  meet, they find they have several things in common. Having been both raised by single mom's and sharing a passion for helping those who are hurting. While Ashley and Ben work together to bring forth Ben's dream, they both feel drawn toward a deeper relationship. But there is a big issue that is standing in their road toward this. Being that they both have very broken pasts that have affected their choice's in life. Carrying these burden's  can also drive them apart instead of bringing healing to their lives if they do not face the truth. Will they choose to hand these burdens over to the one who can handle them or walk away from a beautiful thing in each of their lives? This is a beautifully written story about he...

  The Women Who Met Jesus By Dorothy Valcarcel We as women all struggle with heartaches and desires in our lives, it was no different with the women of the New Testament. Jesus reached out and touched each of these women in different ways. Twenty stories of women whose lives was changed by the words that was spoken to them. These same words that can touch our lives to bring healing to the wounds in our lives. Each of the chapters come with a "Time of Reflection", exploration, inspiration and affirmation at the end of the chapter. I really like how the stories are shared from another women's perspective on things that happened in her life. It helps to see how we are not alone in life's struggles. I would recommend this book to other women as a study. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions stated are my own.

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...

Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd As a talented evaluator of antiquities, Eleanor Sheffield has been trained to know the difference between a fake and the real thing. But when her father passes away and her uncles health is not the best, she has to step up and save the family business. As an unmarried woman in this era Eleanor is not allowed to run Sheffield Brothers on her own.  When an unexpected opportunity falls in their lap with the death of a very wealthy client who has chosen Eleanor as the temporary trustee of the estate. She is given the responsibility to make a very big decision of what will happen to the collection. To make a choice of giving the collection to the museum or allow it to stay with the only living son of the Baron, Harry.   Eleanor starts questioning  Harry's motives, when her uncle is attacked and their home is broken into.  With the debt collectors threats and the income that...

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...

Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar In the newest novel about the Biblical time period by Tessa Afshar that is based in the city of Corinth. We are introduced to a young woman Ariadne who chooses to run away,  when she finds out she is going to be forced to marry a very mean man.  She finds safety in the home of her estranged father in the bustling rich trade  city of Corinth. Longing for a close relationship with Galenos, she stumbles on a very dark secret that had destroyed her father's marriage. Galenos is a Greek of high birth but he is also the infamous thief who has been robbing from the corrupt of the city.  When her fathers life is in danger,  Ariadne chooses to risk everything she has longed for to become Galenos apprentice. Blessed with a very unusual talent of athletic ability, she uses this to continue her fathers exploits leading her deeper into dangerous territ...