Friday, December 30, 2016

For the Record by Regina Jennings

 
 Rather than Wait for a Hero,
Betsy Huckabee Decided to Create One


Merry Christmas Readers!   

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday.
I know that the focus around the holidays is often getting and giving gifts but I pray that this year we remembered that Christmas is not about all of the gifts we gave or the things we received but about the tiny baby boy, born in a manger over 2,000 years ago, Our Savior who was sent down to earth. Jesus Christ was the first Christmas present to everyone all around the world.

So even though this time of year is incredibly busy and I have felt like I was running around in circles,  I was able to finish a wonderful new book by Regina Jennings. This story put a smile on my face and I hope it does the same to you when you read it.

For the Record by Regina Jennings is the story of Betsy Huckabee, a girl who dreams of living on her own, writing for a big city newspaper and being independent. The only problem with her plan? No one outside of Pine Gap, Missouri wants her articles. They like her writing style but the stories are not what they are looking for. So she decides to look for something different to write about...
Deputy Joel Puckett reluctantly left his home in Texas after some complicated circumstances made him have two options. Transfer to  the middle of nowhere or lose his badge. He decides to go to Pine Gap but is shocked when he is greeted by a gang of men on horseback wearing burlap masks, screaming and carrying bundles of sticks.  Joel immediately confronts the men and ask who they are but all they said was that they were " The Law".  The men disappear and as Joel is trying to find his way to town he runs into a young women  named Betsy. Joel has vowed to stir clear of women because of the before mentioned circumstances in Texas so he tries to get away from her but she seems to stick to him like glue. With all of these things happening on his first night in Pine Gap, Joel is beginning to wonder if he is in over his head.
Betsy cannot believe her luck! Her story just literally walked into town. The new deputy from Texas with his handsome smile and good looks is the perfect inspiration for the articles she has decided to write. So she creates the fictional character, The Dashing Deputy, Eduardo Pickett. He is a man so handsome that ladies swoon when he gets near them. He always right on time and always saves the day. So Betsy begins to follow Joel around since after all, he is her inspiration. So anytime he does something small, The " Dashing Deputy" does the same thing but a bit more dramatically.  Betsy is thrilled when she gets word that several big city newspapers want her articles so she continues to create her stories and is so excited when she receives the bigger cities newspaper, that she eagerly looks for her stories and is shocked to find them on the 2nd page news!  She wrote those stories to put in the women's "fluff " piece section, because it is fiction, not news! However Betsy decides to continue sending her stories even though the stories are not true, because no one in Pine Gap reads the bigger cities newspaper so they will never find out... Right?!
Joel is having a hard time fitting in. The townfolk are weary of him because the previous Sheriff did not do his job  and the crime had gotten bad. Joel also discovered that the gang of men he encountered on his first night were the towns "vigilantes" . They were the ones who kept the peace in the town.  He is also finding himself attracted to the quirky yet independent Betsy Huckabee who seems to follow him everywhere. but when the trouble in Texas finds him in Pine Gap, Will he lose his badge forever?

Guess you will have to read it to find out!


What did I think of the book?
 So this is the the third book in the Ozark Mountain Romance series but I read the book as a standalone. 
I thought the book was wonderful!  I love the characters and the interaction between Joel and Betsy. I loved reading Betsy writings about "The Dashing Deputy" and her very exaggerated accounts of what the Deputy was doing around town. Though there is no suspense in the plot,  the slight bit of romance and the charming characters make the book hard to put down. It was especially hard to put it down when Betsy ... Oh, I can't tell you because I would ruin the story :)
I would recommend this book  for anyone looking for a witty, historical romance novel.
  Overall I give it 5 out of 5 Stars *****




So I have not read that many of Regina Jennings books but I have enjoyed this one and her most recent Novella, Her Dearly Unintended ( You can find it in  "With This Ring" a collection of Proposals gone awry)  so much that I can't wait to check out her other books.
If you want to check this book out or her other fantastic writings, Here is the link!
http://www.reginajennings.com/for-the-record


  I would like to thank Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy. I was not asked to write a favorable review, Just a honest one.



Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl

As the storm worsens and the forces of nature combine with a deadly enemy... Can they survive long enough for help to arrive - If help is coming at all?



Hey Readers,
I am sitting here looking out my window wondering when winter will arrive here in Virginia. It is almost 70 degrees and raining, it truly feels more like a late summer shower then the last day of November. So what do you do when you want to feel the chill of winter but it is still not cold outside?  How about reading my next "Must Read" Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl. It is a frosty, story about what happens when the forces of nature ( snow, lots and lots of snow) combine with a deadly enemy to present an incredible challenge for the characters in the book. Really there is enough snow in the book to freeze the Sahara Desert.


So Fatal Frost is the story of U.S Marshal Mercy Brennan.  The book starts with Mercy getting shot in the shoulder by a gang member as they were raiding the house of a known gang leader. But as Mercy is recovering from being shot, she is surprised by her dad showing  up to reconnect with her.  Her dad had abandoned her family when she was ten years old ,  Because of that Mercy has hardened herself so that she could never be hurt again so she is not eager to forgive her father but she does agree to meet with him.  During their lunch meeting, she noticed that he seemed agitated and the way he was speaking to seemed like he was saying goodbye... So she was not surprised to find out that later that evening her dad was murdered by a gang in the middle of St Louis.  But she is surprised when someone breaks into her house during the funeral.
 Lieutenant Tally Williams of the St Louis Police Department, Mercy’s best friend and U.S Marshall Mark St. Laurent, Mercy’s ex-boyfriend/Partner are worried about Mercy’s safety.  It appears that she is the next target of the gang because they believe her dad gave her a USB with video evidence of something that could ruin their plans for their city. So knowing that she would never leave St Louis without a reason, Their Supervisor’s set up a simple case to send the three of them on. Mercy finds it strange that she was to check on a situation that she has not been told anything about and but stranger then that was having Tally and Mark as her partners but had learned to do as she was told. While they were on route to their destination, suddenly a horrible, violent snow storm approaches their location, leaving slick streets and blinding snow which causes them to veer off the road and crash into a tree. Now instead of keeping Mercy safe, they are stranded in the middle of a snowstorm and no one knows where they are.   When they finally get to their destination, something seems off to Mercy, She quickly discovers that the person they were checking on is not who he appears to be. Later in the evening, it appears that someone told the gang Mercy’s location.  What will Mercy do when she discovers the real reason that Tally and Mark brought her there? What will they do when they discover they are stuck in the middle of nowhere with a snowstorm that gets worse by the minute and their backup does not even know where they are?  Can they survive long enough to get help or will their mission to keep Mercy safe end up costing them all their lives?

You will have to read this book to find out!

What did I think about the book?
So this is book 1 of the Defenders of Justice series and I cannot wait for the rest of the series!
The book was full of nail biting moments and the plot grabs you from the beginning and does not let go until the end. There is a slight lag in the middle but it quickly picks right back up. The  characters were good, I loved how strong Mercy was, That she was not the "damsel in distress" type. I loved the way Mark showed his faith in a way that made it real to Mercy and Tally. He did not mention it every few minutes but they could tell by his actions and his faith was contagious. The only thing that I did not like in the story was that the ending seemed rushed. I know that if it really happened it would have probably seemed that fast but I had to read it about 3 times because I was sure that I had missed something.  The book had led up to an epic ending which it was, but I just thought that seemed rushed, cut off a bit. It may be that it will continue in the next book which would make the ending a "sort of, cliff hanger" but I guess we will have to wait and see. There are guns and some small amounts of violence but nothing graphic or descriptive. I would recommend this book to someone who wants to read an exciting criminal fiction book that has just a small bit of romance. Overall I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars. *****


Hey, Don't forget to check out her other books, Here is the link!
http://nancymehl.com/books/


Happy Reading :)




I would like to thank Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy. I was not asked to write a favorable review, Just a honest one.


Saturday, November 26, 2016

Another Day, Another Dali by Sandra Orchard



The World of Art Theft can be a deadly game -
                   One that Serena Jones understands all too well. 






Hey Readers,
I cannot believe that Thanksgiving was this past Thursday.
When I think about how much God has blessed me and those around me I cannot help but think that we have so much to be thankful for:
We live in an amazing country where we are free to speak and think,
We have homes, families and jobs.
 We have been saved by Grace through the blood of Jesus
And, we have wonderful, fantastic christian books to read!
Books like my next "Must Read" by Sandra Orchard!

Another Day, Another Dali by Sandra Orchard is the story of FBI agent Serena Jones who is a magnet for trouble.
Serena's Grandmother ( Nana) approaches her one day after work with an "unofficial" case, Nana's best friend Gladys had a painting (a painting by Salvador Dali, worth more then a million dollars) that was stolen and replaced with a very good forgery. Gladys does not want anyone to know about her stolen painting which is why it has to be "unofficial".  Serena decides to take the case hoping to get on her Nana's good side because she feels like Nana blames her for her Grandfather's murder. So Serena decides to look into Gladys adult children first because they all have motive, and the opportunity to commit the crime. But the deeper Serena gets into Gladys's case , the more confusing it gets, Everyone may have had the means or the opportunity to have commit the crime but their records are spotless and they all seem to have solid alibis. Serena still believes it had to be an inside job because there were no signs of forced entry or anything out of the ordinary.
 Serena is determined to solve Gladys case but she also has to focus on her job, which has her working undercover trying to locate a stolen Renoir. They found a very nice forgery of the Renoir at a drug dealers house but now she has to locate the original . And as if those two cases were not enough, She was helping one of her best friends and co-workers, Tanner on a surveillance mission and is now being targeted by the Russian mob. They saw her with Tanner and now they believe that she is his girlfriend. They figure that if they threaten her, they can get to Tanner. Serena tries to juggle the two cases and watch her back but it seems like she is not getting anywhere on either case!  She is starting to wonder if somehow, the two cases may be linked but she has no idea how.
Serena must rely on her skills and her friends to escape the danger that lurks within every shadow,
But will she be able to solve the case or will it be another masterpiece that is lost forever?

This is one epic showdown you do not want to miss!


What did I think about the book?
Another Day, Another Dali is the second book in the Serena Jones Mystery series. I have read the first book ( A Fool and his Monet) but this book could definitely be read as a standalone. I love the main character Serena. I love her knack for getting in trouble, her witty responses and her courage.  I also love the relationships between Serena, Tanner and Nate. It is so funny to read about how both of the boys are in love with Serena and she is completely unaware. I also like Serena's cat, Harold.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a quirky, fun, humorous Mystery novel with a slight pinch of romance . Overall I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars! *****


Hey, Don't forget to check out Sandra's other books, She has some that look Awesome! 
Here is the link to all of her books: 
http://sandraorchard.com/my-books/


Happy Reading :) 


I would like to thank Revell , A division of Baker Publishing Group for allowing me to review this book in exchange for a free copy, I was not required to write a favorable review, just an honest one.






Friday, November 18, 2016

Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson



And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[ have been called according to his purpose.     Romans 8:28



Hey Readers,
It is almost the start of the Holiday season and the perfect time to start a new book if you can find the time to squeeze in a cute romance story with some twists and turns, especially if you have ever felt like you weren’t good enough.  You know what I mean, like you always do everything to the best of your ability but you never seem to be able to do it as good as you want to do it or someone else does it better.  Well in my latest “Must Read” Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson, the main character Caden Holt deals with these same issues and a few more... so on to the story.

When Two Hearts Meet is the story of Caden Holt, the executive chief at the beautiful Red Door Inn located near the shores of Prince Edward Island, Canada.  Caden is happiest when she is in the kitchen making delicious creations like her amazing mouthwatering cinnamon rolls. It is her “happy place”.  But she was not happy at all when a handsome stranger comes through the back door into her kitchen.  Later she learns from her boss Marie Sloan that the stranger was actually a guest named Adam Jacobs.  Marie is convinced that Adam is a journalist for a prestigious Travel magazine who was sending someone secretly to review the Inn, So Marie assigns Caden with the task of showing Adam around the Island so that he could see the natural beauty of the shores , he could meet some of the locals and hopefully fall in love with the island and give them an amazing review.
Adam Jacobs is a journalist for America Today and was on a forced vacation. He was sent there to relax and rest because he was taking it hard that an article he wrote had been a fatal mistake and he could not seem to write anymore.  He also found out that his editor put him at the Red Door Inn specifically because it was connected to a bigger story in Boston. A story of course his editor wanted him to write even though he was not writing anymore. When he inquired as to what the connection between the Inn and the article he was supposed to write was, all his editor would say was that in involved the Inn’s owner Marie.  When he arrives at the Inn,  He enters through the back door (accidentally) and is immediately struck by the heavenly smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls .  He also finds himself intrigued by the light heart-ed chief at the Inn.  At first Caden is hesitant about showing the Island to Adam but slowly she finds herself warming up to him a bit. Though she loves the Island, she always explored it by herself so showing Adam around took a lot of courage but as they starting spending more time together she found that talking to Adam was not as hard as she thought, in fact she started to look forward to it... Until she realized that Adam is not who they thought he was and the article he is writing, is not what they thought.  Caden now sees the reality of the situation that she may not only lose the job she loves but also the man who stole her heart.
You will have to read the book to find out what happens! 


What did I think about the book?
So this is book 2 of the Prince Edward Island Dreams Series by Liz Johnson and though I have read book one, you could definitely read this book as a standalone. The Characters are so likeable especially Caden. You see how even though she did not think she was good enough (in more areas then one) that she kept her faith In God and kept doing what she was doing. One thing that I love is the fact that Adam was not attracted to her because of her looks but because of her serving and joyful heart.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a book with a fantastic storyline and a bit of romance.  I would say it is like watching a really good Hallmark Movie.  Overall I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars *****



If you would like to check out more of Liz Johnson's books, Here is the Link! 


Happy Reading :) 



 I would like to thank Revell , A division of Baker Publishing Group for allowing me to review this book in exchange for a free copy, I was not required to write a favorable review, just an honest one.
                                        

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Tangled Webs by Irene Hannon



Finn has packed away his combat instincts-
But he may need them again when danger begins
to stalk his quiet hidaway



Hey Readers,
Christmas is coming so quick and so is winter which means that I can start sitting in front of my fire place, cuddling with my cat while reading a book that I cannot seem to put down. My newest "Must Read" is one of the those books that grab you from the first page and you don't want to put the book down until the very last page.  It is a great choice for any winter reading list.
So here is my lastest "Must Read" Tangled Webs by Irene Hannon.


 In Irene Hannon's book, Tangled Webs - Finn McGregor a retiring Army Ranger, has found himself renting a cabin in the middle of the woods in  Beaumont, Mo to get some breathing room away from his very overprotective brothers. He has decided to take a month off to relax and to recover both physically and mentally after a tramatic experience that he had in the Middle East. But his tranquil retreat is interrupted by a loud piercing scream in the middle of the night. He knows that he only has one neighbor so he runs over to her house to save her... from a nightmare.
Dana Lewis a romance novel editor, is staying at her Grandparents cabin in the woods. She is staying at the cabin because it is isolated and it will give her the time to heal from a tramatic experience of her own that has left her injured . She is even more suprised when she wakes up one night to discover her neighbor had broken in to her house... to save her?
Finn is not sure why but he feels drawn to this beautiful neighbor. but it is obvious that they both feel the same sort of attraction. Both of them are starting to look forward to Finn's month of relaxation because of the time they will spend together but unfortunatly it appears some one wants Dana to leave. Finn's military training seems to kick in and he is detirmined to help her find out who is trying to scare her off her property. First her dock is vandalized, then her boat and then her shed is set on fire!  Finn is worried that the person who is trying to get Dana to leave will take more extreme measures because she has not left yet and has no current plans to. Finn decides to watch her house each night so that he can make sure that she is safe. While he was watching one night , he noticed someone getting out of Dana's lake. When Dana and Finn go to investigate, they find a buckle for scuba diving...
Dana wonders why anyone would would want or need to go diving in her lake,  Especially in the middle of the night. What were they looking for?  Was something buried in her lake?
The more Dana and Finn research these strange occurances, the more questions they seem to have.
Will they be able to untangle these strange circumstances or will they leave in order to stay safe.
The danger is inevitable but will they survive tangled web they have fallen in?

You will have to read the book to find out!

What did I think?
So this is the third and final book in the Men of Valor series.  I have read book 2 but this book could definitely be read as a standalone. I love all of the characters in the book, especially Finns brothers. I almost died laughing when I read the part when they meet Dana. It reminded me of what my siblings would do if I introduced them to a special "friend". I like that she gave you a back story for the person responsible for some of the trouble that Dana is facing. You almost feel sorry for him even though he is one of the "bad guys". Overall this book is incredibly well written and I would recommend them to anyone who likes a suspense novel with a side of romance.  Overall I rate the book 5 out of 5 Stars! *****


Irene Hannon writes some amazing suspense novels, You need to check them out by clicking on the link below.
http://www.irenehannon.com/books.html

Happy Reading :) 


I would like to thank Revell , A division of Baker Publishing Group for allowing me to review this book in exchange for a free copy, I was not required to write a favorable review, just an honest one.



Sunday, November 6, 2016

The Devoted by Suzanne Woods Fisher


The Amish life is all she's ever known- But will it satisfy the longing her in her soul? 










Hey Readers,
Have you ever felt like life is spinning out of control?
Like you have come to a fork in the road and you do not know which way to go ?
So I just finished reading my newest "Must Read" called  The Devoted by Suzanne Woods Fisher and
in the book the main character faces questions just like those. She question if she should continue the life she grew up with or should she go a different path, one that is uncertain, but may have the adventure she is looking for?

In The Devoted, Ruthie Stoltzfus is right on the edge of leaving the Amish life that she has always known. She has secretly earned her GED and has a plan to get on with her life outside of the Amish but she can't seem to go forward with her plan, she feels like she is missing something. All she wants is to feel like what she does matters, That she can help someone or help somewhere and it would make a difference...
Patrick Kelly is on a journey of his own. He has come to Stoney Ridge to become Amish, To completely immerse himself in the Amish culture and traditions. When he first arrives in Stoney Ridge, he stays at Ruthie and her family's home because her father is the Bishop and he did not want him to have nowhere to sleep since the Inn was temporarily unable to give him a room.  Patrick wants to learn the Amish ways but he only has 30 days to do so. He has Ruthie give him lessons in Pennsylvania Dutch, Has buggy lessons and talks to the Bishop regularly about the Amish faith. Time is of the essence for Patrick and he cannot waste any of it.
Ruthie is intrigued by this Englisher who is determined to become Amish. She agrees to become Patricks teacher in Penn-Dutch not only because she is sure that he will quit but because she is curious about this strange outsider who wants to join the world that she is so determined to leave.
As Ruthie gets to know Patrick more and they grow closer together, her neighbor ( and ex-boyfriend) Luke Schrock starts to take notice of Patrick as well. (Luke is the town trouble maker. He is a defiant, rebel who drinks too much and loves to see what kind of trouble he can get into.)
 and Luke does not like this outsider getting near his girl. He decides that he needs to teach Patrick  a thing or two about how the Amish people live because he cannot allow Patrick to get in his way. He will win Ruthie back, no matter the cost.
As Luke gets back at Patrick for getting to close to Ruthie, he is shocked when Patrick did not react! He just turned the other cheek!
Ruthie is confused about what she should do. Should she continue with her plan to leave the Amish just like her Aunt did? Or should stay with her people? What does Patrick see in this simple lifestyle that would make him give up everything that he loved so that he could join her world?
As Ruthie choice starts to become clear, Patrick and Luke have a horrible "contest" to see who is braver and it sends someone to the emergency room. The diagnosis could potentially be fatal... Will they be able to overcome this injury? Will Ruthie decide to leave the world she has known for an unknown world full of possibilities or will she discover that all she ever needed was right in front of her. That God has blessed us with so much but sometimes we overlook the simple things, the plain things...

Guess you will have to read it to find out!!!


What did I think ? 
So this is the Third book in The Bishops Family Series by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I have read book two, The Quieting but I have not read the first book in the series. Having read the second book, I was able to have a bit more background  on several Characters but the book was also written so that you could read the book as a standalone without becoming confused or lost within the storyline. The Characters are amazing! There are so many layers to each one, They each have their issues and their faults but they all grow some much by the end of the story. I love the relationship between Patrick and Ruthie. The conversations they have are wonderful. There are some very good questions that get answered or at least asked in the book . One of the questions that I liked was why we should cherish every moment... because we do not know how much time any of us have left. I would recommend the book to anyone who likes Amish fiction or anyone who likes a good story with drama and a touch of romance. Overall I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars.  *****

I you liked this book or would like to check out other books that she has written, Here is the link!
http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/books/



Happy Reading :) 

I would like to thank Revell , A division of Baker Publishing Group for allowing me to review this book in exchange for a free copy, I was not required to write a favorable review, just an honest one.



Sunday, October 30, 2016

From This Day Forward by Lauraine Snelling


"Deborah longs to marry , But she never thought she'd have to choose between an old love and a new possiblity..."




Hey Readers,
Can you believe that November starts this week?!
I cannot believe how fast this year is going by...
So I just finished several new books, some of which have definitely made it on my "Must Read" list. So, lets take a look at the first book that I read this month which was From This Day Forward by Lauraine Snelling.

From This Day Forward is the continuing story of the residents of a small town named Blessing. At the start of the book you meet Deborah MacCallister who is 25 years old, the head nurse and is still single. She has been in love with Toby Valders for years but he has not given any hints that he feels the same way.
Toby Valders feels like he is in over his head. He is in charge of getting the school for the blind built so he works from sun up to sun down everyday and barely has time to eat. He is grateful when he discovers that his friend Deborah is bringing him food to eat because he is so tired after work that he just wants to go home and rest. Toby does not understand why he is so hesitatant to court Deborah,  She is absolutely beautiful and he knows that she likes him, but something is holding him back from making such a huge commitment.
Deborah's patience with Toby is getting thin so she enlists the help of all of the women of the community to pray for wisdom in this ordeal with Toby and that means all hands on deck. The women of the town decide to take matters into thier own hands and try several matchmaking techniques but nothing seems to work... That is until the new school teacher Anton Gendarme comes to town. When Anton is introduced to Deborah he is immeadiately attracted to her.  Anton starts to spend time with her and her family so that he can get to know her better. But when Toby finds out that Anton and Deborah are hanging out  he is very upset. He is not sure why he would be upset that the two of them have become friends because Deborah is not his girlfriend... Could he be jealous?
When Toby realizes that he loves Deborah will he let her know in time? Or will Anton sweep Deborah off her feet?
You will have to read the book to find out!


What did I think of the book?
So this is book 4 in the Song of Blessing series but I read it as a standalone. I recommend reading the other books in the series before reading this book because I was very confused about who everyone was. I liked the characters and the close knit community that the author portrayed but I was really lost on the storyline.  The story was well written and easy to read except for the foreign names of the main characters like Thorliff and Ingeborg.  Overall I would say that it would be on my "Must Read" list IF you have read the first 3 books in the series. Overall I rate the book 3 out of 5 Stars.***


So if you like this book, want to check out the first books in the series or want to see what else she has written, Here is her link!

http://www.laurainesnelling.com/html/books.html


Happy Reading :) 


I would like to thank Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy. I was not asked to write a favorable review, Just a honest one.


Sunday, October 16, 2016

Gratitude A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal

"Always be Joyful. 
Never Stop Praying."
 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17


So I had the opportunity to review a different kind of "Must Read" this week.
So everyone is now into adult coloring books.
Seriously, You can go to just about any store and find a coloring book that may have classic pictures such as Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh or a landscape by Thomas Kinkade.
So what makes this coloring book so special? I am glad you asked!

Gratitude is a Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal. It has places to color and blank spaces so you can write down your thoughts, prayers or maybe a Bible verse or two that stuck out to you when you read your devotions that day.
I have included some pictures so that you could get an idea of what's on the inside of the book. (Even though the cover itself is beautiful)


This is one of my FAVORITE pages!
 I love the beautiful artwork displayed on both sides of the page. As you can see,  on the left side of the page there is the blank spot to be used as a journal.



 So this one does not have much to color but it does have a wonderful Bible verse about how amazing God is and a prayer to God to help us remember to cherish every moment. It also has a space on the bottom of the page so that you can write out your thoughts or anything else you may want to write down.


One thing that I love about this journal is the ability to be versatile so that people of different ages can enjoy it. The above picture is one that my Mom had fun coloring. and believe it or not the picture below was colored by my Sister.  When I saw how she colored the flowers all I could do was stare because they were so beautifully and masterfully done.


 So the picture below is the picture that my other sister who is 9 years old like and she decided that she wanted to help me out (really? I need help coloring?) .   These two pages have an adorable young girl on the right side, a prayer, a Bible Verse and a place to write your thoughts on the left. It does appear to be childlike in appearance but the verse on the page is one of my favorites.


What did I think about the book? 
I loved it! I was pleasantly suprised by the book because I thought it was just going to be an ordinary coloring book but it has so much more inside. I love that each page has a Bible verse and a prayer for you to think about while you're coloring.  The Bible verses are from the New Living Translation so they are very easy to understand. I also liked the suggestion that on the journal pages, you do not have to write anything if you did not want to,  You could draw or doodle on the page. I would recommend this book for Girls age 8 and older because most of the pictures are very detailed and a young child might get very frustrated, very quick.

Overall I loved the book and I give it 4 out of 5 Stars ****


If you like this book, Check out the other creative books and ideas from Tyndale House Publishers by clicking on the link below
https://www.tyndale.com/l/living-expressions

Happy Coloring :)


I would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was not asked to write a favorable review, Just a honest one. 
                                                                    

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Catching Heat by Janice Cantore



Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.                   -Romans 12:19

 So I have been writing so many reviews and reading so many books that I wanted this introduction to be short and sweet. Here is my latest " Must Read" .
Catching Heat by Janice Cantore. It is the last book in the Cold Case Justice Series and it is the explosive conclusion to Detective Abby Hart's search for justice for her murdered parents.


In Catching Heat , Detective Abby Hart is frustrated because she has finally found a vital piece of  her puzzle, A clue to who murdered her parents and burnt down their restaurant ( aka The Triple Seven Murder ) The problem was... it just slipped right through her fingers. Abby had arrested Kelsey Cox after Kelsey admitted to having a part in the crime but once She got Kelsey in court, Kelsey would not testify that she had anything to do with it. She just implied that she had a part in killing her father but would not say anything about the Triple Seven murders. Abby is outraged, She feels like she was so close and it was ripped away from her. but she tries to take her mind off of it by joining her friends Robert Woods ( Woody) and P.I. Luke Murphy on a special task force that investigates cold cases (cases that were never solved). The first case they are given is for a college girl who went missing years ago. They have been granted access to the suspect list but it has been so long that they are worried that the trail has gotten so cold that they will not be able to find any answers but they start with the two main suspects, Harkin and Considine.  While they are investigating the two suspects and the events surrounding the disappearance, Abby discovers a lead about the person she believes orchestrated her parents deaths. She thinks that they lived near where the case took them so she decides to investigate. But when Luke finds out that she went by herself to investigate her "supposed" lead, he is furious! Not only was it reckless to go alone into the wrong side of town but her lead is too shaky, and he honestly believes that it is no a lead at all.  When they find out that Kelsey escaped her prison transport, Luke and Woody decide that Abby is not to look into her lead unless one of them is with her because they are worried that Kelsey may try to get revenge. Abby feels like Woody and Luke are treating her like a child so she decides to investigate on her own but more discreetly, Unfortunately it starts consuming her life and she lets it distract her from the missing girl case .When that lack of focus causing Abby and Woody to be put in the middle of a dangerous situation, Will they be able to escape unharmed or will Abby mistake cost one or both of them their lives?
Find out by reading this exciting conclusion to the Cold Case Justice Series! 

What did I like about the book? 
So this is the third book in the Cold Case Justice series and I think that it was the perfect conclusion to the series. I would recommend reading the first two books in the series first so that you understand the plot better but the book could also be read as a stand alone.  Throughout the series you get to see Abby work through  feelings of revenge, loneliness, hurt, loss and love but even though she stumbled a few times, She was able to pick herself back up because she would remember that vengeance was the Lord's job and that one day justice would be served.  One of my favorite things about the series was the friendship that Woody, Luke and Abby had. That it did not matter the time, place or situation, they always had each others back.
 Overall I give the book 5 out of 5 Stars ***** and the Series gets 7 out of 5 Stars *******.


 
If you would like to check out more information on the Cold Case Justice series or any of her other books, Here is the link,

http://www.janicecantore.com/books/


Happy Reading :)

 


I would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was not asked to write a favorable review, Just a honest one.

                                                                   

Friday, September 30, 2016

A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White


Lady Ella just wants to keep the diamonds from hurting those she loves the most in the world...





So I just finished an amazing new book by one of my favorite authors, Roseanna M. White called A Lady Unrivaled  and it is definitely my newest "Must Read".


In A Lady Unrivaled Lord James Cayton has broken two hearts and is determined to live a better life both for himself  and for his young little girl Addie. He never expected to meet someone like Lady Ella Myerstein though. He was shocked when she accidentally ran into him as she came barreling out of his cousin's library yelling something about how men and animals always fall at her feet  and immediately he was captivated by her smile, He'd never seen such a sweet, genuine smile before...
Lady Ella was shocked to see Cayton at his Cousin Stafford's castle because the two did not get along. Everyone knew that Cayton had dumped a girl who loved him only to turn around and marry another girl just for her money. 
But for some reason she could not stop thinking about him so she decides to focus instead on the diamonds, The Fire Eyes to be exact. The Fire Eyes were a very rare set of red diamonds from India that were believed to be cursed. Ella does not believe in the curse herself but she knows that greed and a need to have the Fire Eyes have proven to be a danger for her family before and she is determined that she will find the diamonds and hide them so that her brother and his new wife will never be put in harms way because of them again. Cayton and Ella keep bumping into each other and soon they become comfortable with each others company but when Ella tells Cayton about her plan for the Fire Eyes, he is furious! He will not allow her to put herself in danger for them. Unfortunately before he can convince Ella to stop this insanity, someone who has sought the Fire Eyes for years knows that Ella has them and is waiting for the perfect moment to steal them from her. When they discover that Ella has put them in a secure safe, they result in a sneakier plan. They convince Cayton to earn Ella's affection and court her so that he can convince her to wear the Fire Eyes so that they could be stolen from her. Cayton has no choice in the matter because they threatened his daughter. Cayton informs Ella of what happened and they decide to go along with the plan until they can get evidence of the person's crimes. Unfortunately the more time they spend pretending to be "courting" the more they both wish that it could be real instead of pretend. Ella is sure that she is falling in love with Cayton  but is not sure if he feels the same about her because he is always looking at her with a scowl  on his face and is always arguing with her about everything. But though he appears stern or mean at times, she has also been able to see a softer, sweet side of him, the side that looked into the clouds and saw a castle, the man who paints beautiful paintings but hides them away from the world because people might judge him for them, the man who has done everything he can to protect her... So she decides that she will do everything her power to protect him and his daughter. But when the danger reaches them, Will they be able to beat this "curse"? Or will it destroy them all? 
You will definitely want to read this amazing end to the series! 


What did I think of the Book?
First, I did want to let you know that this is book 3 of the Ladies of the Manor Trilogy and though it is part of a series you definitely could read it as a stand alone. 
Anyway,  I thought that the book was AMAZING! I love the way the characters interact with each other, especially Cayton and Ella. I love Ella's charming personality, that she is always smiling and is happy all the time. There is one part when Ella was in a bad mood and in the middle of talking with Cayton, he burst out laughing because it was funny to see her in such a mood since she is always so happy. He actually remarks to her that she looks so funny when she is in a bad mood because it does not seem to fit the who she is. I love the witty banter between Ella and Cayton and I love that the author brought in the characters from Book 1, The Lost Heiress and Book 2 The Reluctant Duchess into the story. Overall, I give this book 5 out of 5 Stars ***** and I give the Ladies of the Manor Series 10 out of 5 Stars ( it was THAT good) ***********



Hey Readers, Don't forget to check out her other books and series by clicking on the link! 


Happy Reading :) 


I would like to thank Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy. I was not asked to write a favorable review, Just a honest one.


Thursday, September 29, 2016

When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander


Dani had planned to spy on Brett- So how did she end up on a date with him? 





Interesting...
The quote that put on the top of this post is the reason that I chose to read this book. When I was given the chance to read and review this book I was going to say no because of the title. To me the title When Love Arrives screamed ROMANCE NOVEL and romance novels are not really my choice genre. But something about that line on the back cover caught my attention and got me interested in the story...

So if you are looking for a good romance novel to pass away the hours or are curious about the story, look no further, here is my newest "Must Read" When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander.

When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander is the story of Brett Somers, A rich, young orphan who was raised by his Grandmother when his parents were killed in a plane crash. Now Brett is in his twenties and is reaping the wild seeds that he has sown in his past. He just found out that he has an 8 year old son who is in a coma from a car accident and the boy's mother will not allow Brett to see him. Brett has asked God to forgive his past sins but is having a hard time forgiving himself.
Dani Prescott wants revenge. Her mother died in a plane crash and her father is a drunk who does not want her and never has. Even though life has been hard, she has made her way through college and had a good job until Brett Somers went on television and in front of the whole world, announced that her mother murdered his parents, that it was pilot error that caused the plane crash. Dani is determined to make Brett pay for his careless words but the question is how?
Dani followed Brett one day from his office in hopes of catching him doing something wrong and was shocked that he went to the Children's hospital. Did he know someone there? As she watched him from her car, She saw such pain and anguish on his face that she felt bad for him. She stood looking at the lights that shone through the hospital windows when suddenly Brett was right beside her asking if she was OK...
Brett wanted to make sure that the petite girl was OK, She appeared to be standing taking pictures of the lights but he wondered what exactly she was doing there. She appeared so lonely and she intrigued him when she gave him a fake name from an old movie that he used to watch with his Grandmother before she passed away. Suddenly before he realized what he was doing, he asked her on a date and she said yes!
Dani panicked on the inside, How had she gotten into this mess? She was looking for a way to get even with him and now she was going on a date?! Well, I don't want to tell you everything that happens in the book but Brett and Dani go on more then one date and though they have nothing in common with each other ( except their love for classic movies) they find themselves growing closer together even though they both insist that they are not "dating" they are just "not-dating"
Brett knows that Dani is hiding something but she will not tell him what... Dani is not sure how the man that claimed her mother was a murderer was the same man she has fallen in love with. He seems so different then she thought that he was, but will he still love her once he finds out who her mother is?
You will have to read the book to find out!


What did I think about the book? 
Well for a romance novel it was not that bad. The author started the plot within the first few pages and the suspense of Dani's and Brett's secrets continue until the very end of the book. I love the humor that is intertwined in the book with both Dani and Brett's witty answers. This is the second book in the Misty Willow series but I read it as a stand alone and it was good. I have to say that the plot was engaging and reminded me of a Hallmark movie. Overall I liked the book and will give it 4 out of 5 Stars ****



So if you would like to check out her other books, here is the link 
http://johnnie-alexander.com/johnnies-books/


Happy Reading :) 

I would like to thank Revell , A division of Baker Publishing Group for allowing me to review this book in exchange for a free copy, I was not required to write a favorable review, just an honest one.



Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Deadly Encounter by DiAnn Mills



"I don't want you to be destroyed by any poison," 
                  " Is this about God too?" 
 " Yes, He's bigger then our problems."
 Conversation between Whitt and Stacy, Deadly Encounter by DiAnn Mills

Hey Readers,
So have you ever played the game of Clue ? You know how it is, you hold your cards in your hand, excited because you have almost solved the mystery. You have looked at all the clues and you wrote all of them down, Finally when you are sure you know who did it you guess and find out... that.. you .. are... wrong.  That is how I felt when I read my latest " Must Read"
It is filled with twists and turns and just when I think I know what happened, the story changes!
This book is one that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Deadly Encounter by DiAnn Mills is the story of  Veterinarian and Airport Ranger Volunteer Stacy Broussard. While Stacy was out on her patrol one morning she came across a man who was shot an next to him was a motorcycle, a military grade drone and a injured dog. She immediately contacts 911 who contacted the FBI since the drone was military issue and this could potentially be a act of terrorism. Special Agent Alex LeBlanc enters the scene. He is sure that what he sees is a clear case of terrorism though he cannot figure out if the person who was shot was the victim or the perpetrator. Because of events and people in his past he is suspicious of everyone including Stacy even though she is the one who reported the crime. When strange events seem to happen and they all seem to surround or involved Stacy, Alex begins to wonder if somehow Stacy was being targeted. First Stacy gets a letter from the health department saying that there is something in the water in her neighborhood that is giving people flu-like symptoms, then several of her neighbors are hospitalized. Stacy cannot figure out if it is a hoax or if it is real, and if it is real why won't anyone help her neighborhood? If it is not real, then why are her neighbors getting so sick? Throughout the story you see that Stacy is trying to adopt or become a foster parent to Whitt McMann a young boy with an amazing IQ. But the circumstances that keep involving her are not helping her chances at proving that she can be the mother that he needs Suddenly Stacy develops the flu like symptoms and is hospitalized, the doctors discover what the symptoms are and make a unfortunate diagnosis... Stacy and all of the other people that were infected have a very rare disease that is only found in dogs but this is a strain that has been genetically altered. Why would someone go to such great lengths, knowingly infecting several people with a deadly disease?  What are they after and why did they target Stacy?
Why is every lead that Alex finds a dead end?
You will have to read the book to find out because I refuse to give spoilers!

What did I think of the book?
It was AWESOME!
I love the twists and turns that kept me guessing but I also like the fact that there are some moments that are part of real life like when she patches her relationship with her parents or when Alex asks Stacy on a date. The author also includes the characters journey in their faith. Each one is in a different part in their walk with the Lord. Alex has not felt he needed God but is slowly seeing that he needs Him more then he thought ,Stacy is getting back to a relationship with God after such a long time apart from him and Whitt cannot think of God being a loving Father because he only knows how his earthly father was.  I suggest this book to someone who is looking for a novel with the perfect blend of romance and suspense. Overall I rate this book 5 out of 5 Stars *****


SPECIAL TREAT!
Here is the first chapter of the book!

 Deadly Encounter – Chapter 1



I Loved this book and am definitely checking out some of her other books, If you want to here is the link:
http://www.diannmills.com/books/

Happy Reading :) 



 I would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was not asked to write a favorable review, Just a honest one. 
                                                                    
  





To Follow Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino




" The important thing for you to remember, Patience, is to put God first and then follow where He leads your heart, in faith , knowing that He holds your hand."   - Joshua, To Follow Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino


Hey Readers, Why is there so much to read but there is so little time!

Here is my next "Must Read" if you like to read historical romance books.

To Follow Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino is the continuing story of the the families of Southold, Long Island. The year is 1664 and Patience Terry has been in love with Captain Jeremy Horton since she met him but he has another love... Jeremy loves the ocean. Patience has pleaded with him to stay with her but he still goes out on the ocean on his beloved ship. One day Patience receives word that Jeremy's ship had been shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados and there have been no survivors found. Patience refuses to believe that he is dead because she knows that she would have felt it in her heart if he died. While everyone is mourning Jeremy at his funeral, Jeremy shows up right in the middle of the service! Patience is ecstatic! Finally her beloved Jeremy has returned to her and they can finally start their lives together. But Jeremy has agreed to lead the militia with orders to attack New Amsterdam. Patience agrees to wait for him while he away and after the attack goes better then planned  Jeremy returns home to Southold, Patience knows that Jeremy will finally marry her and they will get to live happily ever after... right?
Well, not exactly because Jeremy decides that he needs to do a few things first like get a job, help Harry build a ship etc... Patience is getting tired of waiting for Jeremy, How many times must she endure him leaving her? When a tragedy strikes his estate in England Jeremy must decide, Does he go help the servants at his childhood home or does he stay with his sweet Patience? And if Jeremy decides to leave, Will Patience agree to wait for him again or will she give up on love?
You will have to read the book to find out!


What did I think about the book?
So this is book 3 of The Southold Chronicles and it is also the final book in the series. I read book 2, To Capture her Heart ( Book Review link) but this book could also be read as a stand alone. I love the historical details that the author used in every chapter of the book, like the detail of the ships or the little recipes that she included... They all fit together to tell the love story of Patience and Jeremy. I recommend this book to anyone who has read the first two books because the author concludes the series well and I also recommed this book to anyone who likes a historical romance novel with lots of ups and downs. Overall I give this book 4 out of 5 Stars ****

If you want to check out the first two books in the series or any of her others books, here's the link:
http://www.rebeccademarino.com/


Happy Reading :) 


I would like to thank Revell , A division of Baker Publishing Group for allowing me to review this book in exchange for a free copy, I was not required to write a favorable review, just an honest one.











Sunday, August 28, 2016

The Artisan's Wife by Judith Miller

 " You think that you're gonna be able to deal with them?  I mean no offense, Around these parts, You seldom see a woman in charge of a business, That's all I'm saying."
 - Quote from The Artisan's Wife by Judith Miller


Hey Readers!
With Summer officially over it seems that all of a sudden I am extremely busy and having a hard time finding time to read... However I have just finished reading a fantastic new book by Judith Miller called The Artisan's Wife which is my latest "Must Read,"


The Artisan's Wife is the story of Ainslee McKay, An Irish girl who has been put in a difficult situation because of her twin sister's reckless actions. Ainslee's sister, Adaira had a dream to open a tile company so that she could put her artistic abilities to work, So Ainslee and her brother Ewan went to work and found a company for sale and purchased it . The only problem now is that Adaira has eloped and left Ainslee with all of the responsibilities of running the company which requires her to move to another city, far away from the rest of her family and to run a business during a time when women were not typically in charge. Oh, and she has no artistic ability at all.
So Ainslee moves to the town of Weston, West Virginia with the promise that her brother would sell the company as soon as they were able to locate a buyer.
Levi Judson has just moved to Weston to be near his brother who lives there. He is hoping to get a job at the tile works because he has experience working at a tile factory. He is shocked to see that a woman is in charge but quickly learns that there is more to Miss McKay then meets the eye. She is smart, caring and kind... Oh,Why can't he seem to get her off his mind! He avoids her questions regarding his family because he fears if she knew about his brother's condition she would no longer want him around.  Ainslee is impressed by Levi's attitude and his actions and finds that she is attracted to this talented artist. When Ainslee was involved in a accident at work, Since Ainslee was injured, Levi immediately steps in to help with whatever she needed help with which required that they spend a lot of time working together. and the more the two of them worked together, The more the attraction between them grew but can a relationship blossom between the two of them when they are both harboring secrets from the other?

What did I think of the book? 
So this is book 3 of the Refined by Love Series but I read it as a standalone. I loved the way the author wrote the book from both Ainslee's and Levi's perspective. My favorite character has to be Ainslee. She is put into a tough situation and she is relying on God for help to get through it. The relationship between her and Levi is sweet. Their first interaction is one of my favorite parts of the whole book!  I have to say I was pleasantly suprised by this book because I was worried that it would be just another romance novel but this book had a interesting plot that kept me reading until the last page. I will definitely be checking out her other books! Overall, I rate the book 4 out of 5 Stars ****


Don't forget to check out the other books written by this author by clicking on the link below
http://judithmccoymiller.com/books/


Happy Reading :) 


I would like to thank Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy. I was not asked to write a favorable review, Just a honest one.



Without Warning by Lynette Eason

"God, I need you here... with your hands on mine, guiding me to do the right thing, make the right choices. Please help me."
- Katie Singleton,  Without Warning by Lynette Eason 




Hey Readers, I just read an awesome, action packed book that I have to tell you about. My latest "must read" is a amazing new book by one of my favorite authors, Lynette Eason!
 So on to the story...

Without Warning by Lynette Eason is the story of Bodyguard Katie Singleton. As she was driving home one night, She stumbles upon Daniel Matthews, a retired Marine and Restaurant owner who discovered a body in his restaurant's basement. Daniel is related to one of the students that Katie teaches in her self defense class so she decides to help out. As they are looking into the homicide that occurred in the basement, Detective Quinn ( who was the lead on the case) gets a call that Daniel's second restaurant was currently burning to the ground. As they arrive at the scene of the fire, they discover that his restaurant was completely destroyed.  Daniel is not sure why he is being targeted because to his knowledge he has not angered anyone. That night, Riley discovers someone watching them from their neighbors car and Daniel feels like someone is watching him every where he goes. As the person who is targeting Daniel gets bolder, Daniel and his niece Riley hire the Elite Guardians to protect them. While Daniel and Katie are at his restaurant, they both get shot at but no one gets hurt. It seems that the more they look into the situation, the closer the danger gets. When Detective Quinn, Katie and Daniel are sitting in a unmarked police car going over some security footage, the culprit decides to try and run over them with a construction vehicle severely injuring one of them. Katie swears to do everything in her ability to keep Daniel safe but the danger keeps sneaking in. One night when Daniel was about to leave after a visit to Katie's house, they discover a bomb under his car that was set to explode once the drivers side door was open. They were able to defuse the bomb and get rid of it before it blew up but it was a close call. 
As more details come to light and the Culprit steps from the shadows, Riley's life and the life of her friend is put in danger, Will Katie and her friends be able to keep Daniel and Riley safe? Or will the person who is attacking Daniel be able to silence them all?
Guess you will have to read it to find out!


What did I think about the book? 
I thought that the book was AWESOME!!! This book is the 2nd book in the Elite Guardians series and though I loved the first book (Always Watching Book Review) the second book (this one) was better.  This book could be read as a stand alone book because there is nothing except the characters and some brief mentions of some events that occurred that ties this book to the first book. The relationship between Katie and Daniel is a perfect addition to the plot. The book has a wonderful blend of suspense, action and romance. Note, there are some crimes that occur during the book but there is nothing described in graphic detail. The plot starts on the first page and does not end until the last page which makes it hard to put the book down. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a book with a lot of twists and turns. I cannot wait until book 3 comes out in 2017!
 Overall I give this book 5 out of 5 Stars *****

NOTE TO READERS: WARNING DO NOT READ THE PREVIEW FOR BOOK 3, MOVING TARGET LOCATED NEAR THE END OF THE BOOK. WORST CLIFF HANGER EVER!


I LOVE Lynette Eason's books, I recommend checking out what other books she has written. Just click on the link below for more details.
http://www.lynetteeason.com/books/


Happy Reading :)


I would like to thank Revell , A division of Baker Publishing Group for allowing me to review this book in exchange for a free copy, I was not required to write a favorable review, just an honest one.