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#BookReview: Targeted for Murder by Elizabeth Goddard

8 Oct

targeted-for-murder

Targeted for Murder by Elizabeth Goddard

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/2d2buha

With his dying breath, Hadley Mason’s fatally shot father reveals he’s a CIA agent…and a bounty has been placed on both their heads. Heeding his urgent warning to disappear and trust no one, Hadley flees into the Oregon wilderness, but she can’t shake the string of hired killers on her trail. So when a fearless and too-handsome wilderness guide comes to her rescue, Hadley has no choice but to put her life in Cooper Wilde’s hands. The former Green Beret vows to protect her, but beyond steep gorges and treacherous terrain, a ruthless man will stop at nothing to see her dead.

 

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My thoughts:

Goddard kicks off her new Wilderness, Inc. series with a pulse-pounding suspense! The action begins on the first page and continues full throttle until the very end. I loved the picturesque setting of the Oregon wilderness and the urgency and intrigue of Hadley and Cooper’s story. Targeted for Murder is a wild ride, and I can’t wait for the next adventure!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

Friday Freebies

7 Oct

Freebie Graphic- BuzzingAboutBooks.com

 

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Valley of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling

Kindle | Nook

Addy Lockwood’s mother died when she was little, so Addy traveled with her father’s Wild West Show and became an amazingly skillful trick rider, likened by some to the famous Annie Oakley. When her father died, she continued to work with the show, having nowhere else to go.

Now Addy has discovered that “Uncle” Jason, the show’s manager, has driven the show into debt, and he’s absconded with what little money was left. Devastated, Addy decides to try to find the hidden valley where here father had dreamed of putting down roots. She has only one clue. She needs to find three huge stones that look like fingers raised in a giant hand. With Chief, a Sioux Indian who’s been with the show for twenty years, and Micah, the head wrangler, she leaves both the show and a bundle of heartache behind and begins a wild and daring adventure.

 

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Invisible by Lorena McCourtney

Kindle | Nook

A mysterious disappearance fuels the mutant curiosity of Ivy Malone, whose oddball humor, possum-gray hair, and quirky sleuthing skills make her an unlikely crime fighter. Even the authorities’ attempts to keep Ivy out of danger. But will the determination that fuels this persistent, quirky sleuth threaten her very safety?

 

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The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Kindle | Nook

Rose Schrock is a plain woman with a simple plan. Determined to find a way to support her family and pay off her late husband’s debts, she sets to work to convert the basement of her Amish farmhouse into an inn. While her family, especially her cranky mother-in-law, is unhappy with Rose’s big idea, her friend and neighbor, Galen King, supports the decision and he helps with the conversion. As Rose finalizes preparations for visitors, she prays. She asks God to bless each guest who stays at the Inn at Eagle Hill. As the first guest arrives and settles in, Rose is surprised to discover that her entire family is the one who receives the blessings, in the most unexpected ways. And she’s even more surprised when that guest decides to play matchmaker for Galen King.

#BookReview: This Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick

5 Oct

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This Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2dtYcMz

Tabitha Brown refuses to be left behind in Missouri when her son makes the decision to strike out for Oregon–even if she has to hire her own wagon to join the party. After all, family ties are stronger than fear.

Along with her reluctant daughter and her ever-hopeful granddaughter, the intrepid Tabitha has her misgivings. The trials they face along the way will severely test her faith, courage, and ability to hope. With her family’s survival on the line, she must make the ultimate sacrifice, plunging deeper into the wilderness to seek aid. What she couldn’t know was how this frightening journey would impact how she understood her own life–and the greater part she had to play in history.

 

My thoughts:

“The choice comes back to knowing what we’re called to do and then doing it with all our hearts and minds and souls.” 

Based on actual events, This Road We Traveled takes readers on a compelling journey along the Oregon Trail. Told from three different perspectives, I enjoyed the historical depth of this story and the palpable emotions of its characters. Tabitha Brown was a strong, courageous woman whose faith never wavered amid the trials and tribulations she and her family faced. How fascinating to learn about The Mother of Oregon and her arduous journey!  A story of “resilience, love, and doing good”, This Road We Traveled offers an inspiring and insightful glimpse into the past.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

#BookReview: Guide Me Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer

4 Oct

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Guide Me Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Click here to purchase a copy or learn more about Guide Me Home.

Working in the massive cave might allow Rebekah the chance to bring joy back to her family.  But will it claim more than it gives?

After tragedy leaves its mark on Rebekah Hardin’s family, she plans to help her parents and six siblings honor her beloved brother’s memory and alleviate their poverty by working as a guide in the dangerous cave system. Kentucky’s renowned Mammoth Cave presents profitable opportunities for hardworking, capable men. But Rebekah is determined and if it means presenting herself as a himself, then she’s up to the job.

Under the wing of experienced guide Tolly Sanford, “Reb” begins to learn the complexities of the cave. The two are joined by an aspiring young cartographer, Devlin Bale. The university student has traveled to the hill country to map tunnels—not to fall for a girl in disguise.

Can the God who designed miles of underground astonishment shape Devlin’s ambitious plans and free Reb from the weight of her past?

 

My thoughts:

Kim Vogel Sawyer never fails to captivate me with her stories, and Guide Me Home is certainly no exception! Rebekah Hardin immediately endeared herself to me, and I admired her dedication to her family and her determination to help provide for them. Tolly Sanford was another favorite character; I loved the way this experienced guide took Rebekah under his wing and taught her the ins and outs of the cave system. When Rebekah and Tolly are joined by Devlin Bale, an aspiring cartographer, a compelling story of faith, family, and romance unfolds. Beautifully told, Guide Me Home is a tender tale and a recommended read for fans of historical fiction!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.

#BookReview: Total Family Makeover | Family Fun Night #Giveaway

3 Oct

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Total Family Makeover by Melissa Spoelstra

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2d5hLtG

God calls us as parents to be key disciple-makers in our children’s lives, but if we’re honest, some days it’s a battle just to get them dressed and ready for school on time. How can you mold their hearts when sometimes you can’t even find their shoes?

In Total Family Makeover, author Melissa Spoelstra gives parents a way—a sort of spiritual track to run on—when it comes to building family discipleship. She focuses on eight key habits of growth:

-Spending Time in Prayer
-Reading God’s Word
-Growing Through a Mentoring Relationship
-Finding Community in the Church
-Serving Others
-Taking Time to Rest
-Giving Back to God
-Sharing Your Faith

Disciples are made, not born. Whether your children are babes in arms or teenagers getting ready to leave the nest, making disciples at home starts with you! Give your family a makeover with this practical approach to helping your children learn what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

 

My thoughts:

Total Family Makeover is a helpful and insightful guide to training your children to be better disciples! Melissa Spoelstra shares her own personal experiences and couples them with recommendations based on Biblical principles, giving parents “a sort of spiritual track to run on–when it comes to building family discipleship.” I enjoyed delving into the eight key habits Spoelstra highlights and found encouragement and inspiration within each one. Whether you are just starting a family or are in the later stages of child rearing, Total Family Makeover offers a practical approach for spiritual growth.

 

Plan an evening of fun, pizza, devotionals, and games with your family! Melissa is giving away a Family Fun Night Prize Pack.

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One grand prize winner will receive:

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melissa-spoelstra
Melissa Spoelstra is a popular women’s conference speaker, Bible teacher, and writer who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about helping women of all ages to seek Christ and know Him more intimately through serious Bible study. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology and enjoys teaching God’s Word to diverse groups and churches within the body of Christ. She is the author of the First Corinthians: Living Love When We Disagree, Joseph: The Journey to Forgiveness, and Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World Bible studies and Total Family Makeover: 8 Steps to Making Disciples at Home book. She lives in Dublin, Ohio, with her pastor husband and four kids.

 

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on October 7. The winner will be announced October 10 on Melissa’s blog.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.  Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about Total Family Makeover.

Friday Freebie

30 Sep

Freebie Graphic- BuzzingAboutBooks.com

 

overshadowed

Overshadowed by Vannetta Chapman

Kindle

All Gabe Thompson wanted was a rewarding and challenging career in the U.S. military. He’s about to get his wish.

The government knows that a massive solar flare could plunge the entire world into darkness for decades to come, but few believe it will ever happen. The governor of Texas is hoping it won’t, but planning that it could. She implements her brainchild, the top-secret Operation Nightshade, and Gabe suddenly finds himself chosen to train for the end of modern society.

When the government learns their darkest fear is about to become a reality, Gabe can’t warn anyone of the impending disaster—but he can stock his shelves and do everything in his power to ensure his neighbor, Lenora Diaz, will survive as long as possible.

Gabe must race against a cataclysmic solar clock if he hopes to be in position when the blackout descends.

#BookReview: Mattie’s Pledge by Jan Drexler

29 Sep

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Mattie’s Pledge by Jan Drexler

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2ddDCl6

Mattie Schrock is no stranger to uprooting her life. Even as her father relocated her family from one Amish community to the next, she always managed to find a footing in their new homes. Now as the Schrock family plans to move west from Somerset County to a fledgling Amish settlement in Indiana, she looks forward to connecting with old friends who will be joining them from another Pennsylvania community–friends like Jacob Yoder, who has always held a special place in her heart.
Since Mattie last saw Jacob, they’ve both grown into different people with different dreams. Jacob yearns to settle down, but Mattie can’t help but dream of what may lie over the western horizon. When a handsome Englisher tempts her to leave the Amish behind to search for adventure in the West, will her pledge to Jacob be the anchor that holds her secure?

 

My thoughts:

Mattie’s Pledge is the second book in the Journey to Pleasant Prairie series. Although I have not read Book 1, Hannah’s Choice, I had no trouble following the continuing story line.

Mattie Schrock is an endearing character, and I really enjoyed getting to know her and experiencing her emotional journey. As several families join the Shrocks in relocating to Indiana, Mattie wrestles with her feelings for Jacob Yoder and her desire for adventure.

Weaving elements of history through the narrative, Drexler offers a unique glimpse into the Amish migration, which I found to be very interesting. Combining drama, intrigue, and romance, Mattie and Jacob’s story is a tender tale and a recommended read for fans of Amish fiction!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

#BookReview: When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander

28 Sep

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When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2dmbCvO

Dani Prescott came to the children’s hospital to spy on Brett Somers–so how did she end up on a date with him? Weeks earlier she’d seen an interview in which he blamed her mother for the plane crash that had killed his parents. But the crash had killed her mother as well, so Dani can’t believe the story Brett’s trying to sell to the media.

Vowing to find a way to discredit the privileged–and maddeningly handsome–Brett, Dani has been following him and taking photos, hoping to find something she can use against him. But when she catches his eye instead, she quickly finds herself offering up a fake name and agreeing to a date. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something–but he’s got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is?

 

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My thoughts:

When Love Arrives is an engaging story! Having enjoyed the first book in the series, I welcomed the opportunity to return to the quaint community of Misty Willow and revisit its residents. Because Brett’s story begins in Book 1, Where She Belongs, reading the series in order is recommended.

Dani Prescott and Brett Somers are an unlikely pair who have endured painful events in their pasts. From heartache and healing to revenge and romance, I enjoyed the complexities of their journey and the growth of their character. I was also pleased to continue Shelby and AJ’s story and look forward to reading more as the Misty Willow series continues.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

#BookReview: The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson

27 Sep

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The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1XS4OaN

Five women from different walks of life have become close friends through their book club–enjoying one another’s company even more than they enjoy the books. So when the leader of the book club unexpectedly passes away on the cusp of the Christmas season, the four remaining friends are stunned. They relied on Abby for inspiration and motivation. She was the glue that held them together, and they’re sure that without her the group can’t continue.

When the group gathers “one last time” to open a bag Abby’s husband gives them, they find Abby had made each of them an angel ornament for Christmas, crafted especially for each woman and accompanied by a sweet and personal note. Inspired by their beloved friend, together Cassidy, Louisa, Grace, and Belinda decide to commit themselves to becoming Christmas Angels to others in need. Each woman will use her life situation and talents to reach out and help others in her own unique way–little knowing that her own life and her relationships will be changed forever.

 

My thoughts:

I love Christmas stories and always look forward to adding Melody Carlson’s books to my collection. Once again, she has crafted a heartwarming and hope-filled holiday tale. I really enjoyed this close-knit group of women, their friendships, and their book club gatherings. When tragedy strikes, angel ornaments and special notes encourage them to celebrate life and each other and reach out to those around them. Sharing a lovely message, The Christmas Angel Project is sure to touch readers’ hearts and inspire them to find their own Angel Projects!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

#BookReview: The Raven by Mike Nappa

26 Sep

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The Raven by Mike Nappa

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2d3Ob8K

As part of his street performance, a deception specialist who goes by the name The Raven picks his audience’s pockets while they watch. It’s harmless fun–until he decides to keep the wallet of a prominent politician, hoping for a few extra bucks. When he finds compromising photos of the councilman and his “personal assistants,” The Raven hatches a plan to blackmail the man. However, he quickly finds himself in over his head with the Ukrainian Mafia and mired in a life-threatening plot code-named “Nevermore.”

Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill must scramble to sort out the clues to rescue The Raven from a wild card bent on revenge.

 

My thoughts:

The Raven is a page-turning suspense! Continuing the Poe theme, this second Coffey & Hill novel features a deception specialist who performs under the name The Raven. While Trudi and Samuel reprise their PI roles, they are a bit more secondary to the overall story line, which also involves the Ukrainian Mafia and a secret plot.

A fast-paced story, The Raven is filled with intrigue, and its twists and turns offer more than a few surprises. Mike Nappa skillfully crafts unique stories and memorable characters, and I’m eager to discover what will happen next as this thrilling series continues!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.