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#BookReview: High-Risk Reunion by Margaret Daley

17 Oct

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High-Risk Reunion by Margaret Daley

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

When district attorney Tory Carson returns home after a long day in court prosecuting a gang leader, she finds her house trashed. Concerned that the vandalism is connected to the trial, the local police chief calls the Texas Rangers…and her former love Cade Morgan responds. Tory’s history with Cade—and the secret they share—makes her reluctant to let him back into her life. But Tory doesn’t want to choose between bringing down a gang leader and protecting her teenage daughter. With the threat escalating the longer she tries the case, the safest place for Tory and her daughter is at Cade’s ranch. But can Cade protect them long enough for Tory to bring the criminal to justice?

 

My thoughts:

High-Risk Reunion is an exciting tale of suspense and second chances! Danger lurks around every corner, and Texas Ranger Cade Morgan is determined to keep Tory Carson and her daughter safe. When threats and danger escalate, will he be able to offer the protection they need?

Margaret Daley kicks off this new series with action and intrigue, crafting a cast of characters I cared about and rooted for until the very end. I really enjoyed Cade and Tory’s story and look forward to continuing the Lone Star Justice series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: From Depths We Rise by Sarah Rodriguez

11 Oct

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From Depths We Rise by Sarah Rodriguez

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2d8Kc8H

Sarah Rodriguez experienced more loss and heartache in a short period of time than most people will endure in a lifetime. Infertility. Miscarriage. Her husband Joel’s cancer diagnosis (not once, but twice). Her husband’s death. Her two-week-old baby girl in a fight for her life. . . And still, Sarah clung to her faith. From Depths We Rise is a miraculous story of hope and overcoming. Sarah’s is a journey of beauty from ashes, of marching toward purpose out of the pain. Her awe-inspiring story will encourage you to grasp tightly to your faith and to rise above even the most daunting of circumstances.

 

My thoughts:

From Depths We Rise is an extraordinary story! Sarah Rodriguez has experienced unfathomable suffering and loss, and her journey through this heartache and pain is one of “beauty from ashes”. “What I have to share will hopefully make you laugh-it might even make you cry-but I pray it leaves you filled with hope, because even as the story ends it is really just beginning.” Sarah’s faith is inspiring and her candid story is sure to touch all who read it. Heartrending and hope-filled, From Depths We Rise is a book not soon to be forgotten!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing.  All thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep

10 Oct

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The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/2dKDRU1

Proper English governess Eleanor Morgan flees to the colonies to escape the wrath of a an angry duke. When the Charles Town family she’s to work for never arrives to collect her from the dock, she is forced to settle for the only reputable choice remaining to her—marriage to a man she’s never met. Trapper and tracker Samuel Heath is a hardened survivor used to getting his own way by brain or by brawn, and he’s determined to find a mother for his young daughter. But finding a wife proves to be impossible. No upstanding woman wants to marry a murderer.

 

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My thoughts:

The Captive Heart is a frontier adventure you don’t want to miss! Michelle Griep takes readers to the Carolina backcountry, and with vibrant details and descriptions, brings to life the ruggedness of the American wilderness. All of the characters are richly drawn, and I loved Samuel and Eleanor and their tumultuous journey. Drama and danger abound as these two face numerous threats, all the time fighting to survive in the face of adversity. Bringing to mind The Last of the Mohicans, I was captivated by this story and would love to read more about these memorable characters!

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: Targeted for Murder by Elizabeth Goddard

8 Oct

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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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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