A Reluctant Bride (Amish of Birch Creek, Book 1) by Kathleen Fuller {Book Review}



Amish of Birch Creek, Book 1
Contemporary Fiction/Amish

She never wanted to marry. He hopes to make 
amends for past wrongs. Can love find a way 
to heal both of their hearts?

Sadie Schrock swore she would never marry. All of her other Amish friends could court and marry—she was content to manage the family business and eventually take it over when her parents are ready to retire. But all of that changes when a reckless driver kills both of her parents and seriously injures her younger sister. With mounting hospital bills adding to the pile of debt her parents left behind, Sadie is left with no choice: she must marry. And not just any man—the man who saw her at her weakest and walked away.

Aden knows what his brother did to Sadie years ago was inexcusable. And every day since that incident, Aden has lived with the guilt for not intervening sooner. When he is faced with the chance to protect Sadie once again, he can’t let her down—even if it means living with the scorn of the woman he loves for the rest of his life.

Working alongside Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn’t the same boy who once betrayed her. Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feelings for her new husband, dangerous secrets are revealed. Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family—and herself.




My Thoughts

It has been a long time since an Amish based book has raised such raw emotion in me. But The Reluctant Bride has done the trick. Bishop Troyer has succeeded in making my blood boil!

This first book in Kathleen Fuller's newest series isn't your average Amish novel. She chooses a more edgy path for her characters and delves into abuse including physical, mental and spiritual. While she allows the dark side of a tight knit community to be revealed this isn't just a novel filled with tragedy, far from it.

It is also a story of healing, hope, and the beginning of a lifelong love. I enjoyed following along while Sadie and Aden navigated the treacherous path set before them. The strength of character that developed in each of them was inspiring and their developing love for each other was moving. 

We expect to be able to trust and rely on our spiritual leaders but sometimes those leaders shouldn't be trusted. This book reminds us that we are all fallible and God should be the only One that we ultimately rely on. 

If you enjoy a story with depth that will surely evoke strong emotions then I encourage you to pick this novel up. Because of the subject matter I think it would make a particularly good choice for a featured read for your book club. To get the ball rolling there are discussion questions at the back of the book.

Connect With The Author






Through Waters Deep (Waves of Freedom, Book 1) by Sarah Sundin {Book Review}



Waves of Freedom, Book 1
Historical Romance



WAR IS COMING. 
CAN LOVE CARRY THEM THROUGH THE ROUGH 
WATERS THAT LIE AHEAD?

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Handsome and outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. On shore, Jim encounters Mary Stirling, a childhood friend who is now an astute and beautiful Boston Navy Yard secretary.

When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is discovered, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.

READ AN EXCERPT

Here's a fun peek at the behind the scenes making of the cover:



My Thoughts

Sarah Sundin's newest book Through Waters Deep was a delightful surprise to me. It is another of her World War II stories set in the months just prior to the United States entering the war. The interesting part is that it is a completely new series but it contains some characters that we have met previously in another of her books.

At first I just kept thinking that I had read a similar story and then it hit me . . . I know these people and their families. Once I realized that the pages just flew by. Mary Stirling is the main female character and she is a complex mix of reserved behind the scenes worker and diligently bold detective. If you grew up reading the Nancy Drew series you are going to enjoy Mary.

Naval officer Ensign Jim Avery has known Mary since childhood but for the first time he is really noticing her. His dilemma is does he want to become involved with anyone who is so different from what he usually gravitates to? In the past he's always been drawn to bubbly blondes and a specific blonde at that. But in Mary's presence he feels a peace that has always been missing.

The story contains the many twists and turns that we have come to expect from Sundin's writing. I think what I enjoy most is that this isn't just a war story and it isn't just a romance. Instead it is a mix of mystery, intrigue, and romance filled with characters that will entertain you as well as strengthen your faith. 

I can almost guarantee that this will be a book that my reading group picks for a future read. There are a set of discussion questions in the back of the book that will help any book club get started. I look forward to reading the rest of this series and if you like historical romance I think you will too.

Connect With The Author








Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer {Book Review}



Christian Life / Prayer

YOU HAVE AN ENEMY.

And he's dead set on destroying all you hold dear. He does it strategically. He does it specifically. He's doing it right this minute, in fact--aimed at personally drawn targets on your heart, your home, your mind, your life.

And this book, this battle plan, is your chance to fight back. With a weapon that really works. With prayer.

New York Times best-selling author Priscilla Shirer brings her role from the War Room movie into real life, addressing the topics that affect you the most: your identity, your family, your regrets, your pressures, your temptations, your fears, your attitudes, and more. Each chapter exposes the enemy's cruel, cunning intentions against you in all kinds of key areas like these, then coaches you in crafting your own personalized prayer strategies on included tear-out sheets--ready to post them and pray them, anywhere you can put them into active deployment. Because the truth is: Victories don't happen by accident.

Fervent is a hands-on, knees-down, never-give-up action guide to practical, purposeful praying.




My Thoughts

If you have seen the movie War Room and are longing to implement what you saw on the screen through Priscilla Shirer's character then you need this book. I loved the movie but this book just takes it over the top. If you've ever experienced a Bible study by Priscilla you already know what I mean. If not let me give you a little glimpse of what is to come.

The opening of the book sets the stage so you will have no doubt about what is expected. Here's the opening paragraph to prove what I'm saying:
"Just so you know what you're getting into . . . 
By the time you've finished reading (and working) through this book, the front cover shouldn't be able to close neatly back over on itself. It should be noticeably disfigured. Ski-ramping up from the spine at such a scooped angle that even if you laid an old-school telephone book on top, you still couldn't smooth out what's become so harshly, permanently misshapen. From heartfelt use. War torn. An impossible option for regifting at Christmastime." (pg. 1)
Now that's the type of study I'm interested in. One that compels me to dive in and dig deep. One that I beg the Lord to ingrain upon my being. This study is all of that and more.

You'll be walked through the process of beginning a plan to commit your life to prayer, for yourself and those around you. Once you've reached the end I think you'll feel empowered to take on the difficult situations in your life on your knees.

This is one of those books that if I were independently wealthy I'd buy by the caseload and hand it out to my loved ones. (And probably total strangers as well!) If you are looking for a way to take your prayer life to the next meaningful level get yourself a copy of this book.

Connect With The Author







The Plans I Have For You by Amy Parker {Children's Book Review}

The Plans I Have For You by Amy Parker

Book review disclosure.

Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Juvenile Fiction

God has great plans for you.
It's true.
So dream about your future.
Believe.
And do.

The Plans I Have for You will inspire readers of all ages to dream about their future and to trust that God has great plans for each and every one of us.




My Thoughts

I always find it nice to read a children's book that speaks to my own heart while entertaining my kids. The Plans I Have For You does exactly that. Amy Parker reminds us all that no matter what our occupation is be it stay-at-home mom or physician God has a plan for us that is perfect and complete.

We like to say that we are all missionaries but when it comes down to it, it doesn't always feel that way. In an engaging rhyming verse we are prompted to look at occupations as part of our God appointed destinies. What a wonderful thing to instill in our kiddos that the desire to work in a certain field no matter what it is pleases God when we do it for His glory.

As an artsy person I loved Vanessa Brantley-Newton's mixed media type of illustrations. All the colors and patterns and whimsical faces combine to make the book a feast for the eyes while it is ministering to your heart.

This would be a delightful read aloud for your entire family. Every home library would benefit from the contents of this adorable children's book.

Connect With The Author

Amy Parker

Blog  -  Twitter  -  Facebook  -  Goodreads


Disclosure of materials.





Peter's Perfect Prayer Place by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick {Children's Book Review}

Peter's Perfect Prayer Place by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick

Book review disclosure.

illustrated by Daniel Fernandez
Juvenile Fiction

Can you help Peter find the 
perfect place to pray?

Peter is used to seeing his mom pray in her special prayer room, and now you can help him search for his own place to pray--Peter's perfect prayer place. Is it between the pots and pans? Up in his swing? Inside his tent? Where can God hear him best?

There's lots of fun as Peter looks and looks, but in the end, he learns that although it's great to have a special place to be alone with God and pray, God hears you not matter where you are--inside, up, or in between!

"How do I find the perfect place where God will really hear me?"

Come along as Peter searches high and low for the perfect place to pray and makes a big discovery--God is always listening, no matter where you are!

This companion book to the movie War Room will teach young readers an important lesson about talking to God. And the foldout Prayer Poster and stickers will let them track their prayers as well as God's answers!




My Thoughts

Prayer is such an important part of our lives as Christians. Teaching our little ones to make it a part of their daily lives is a responsibility that we as parents should take to heart. In Peter's Perfect Place the Kendrick brothers have put together an adorable story about a little boy named Peter and his pursuit of the perfect place to pray.

Little Peter searches high and low to find the one place that will allow him to speak to God. Each place he comes up with seems to have some drawback. In the end he comes to realize that no matter where he is God is there too and anywhere he chooses to pray is the perfect place.

This book is a companion piece to the new movie War Room. The story is written in rhyming form and the illustrations are beautiful. What I like about it the most is that it has a pull out chart and stickers that will allow your child to record their prayers and God's answers. The book was designed with the preschooler in mind but it would make a nice read aloud for slightly older siblings as well. 

Connect With The Authors

Kendrick Brothers



Disclosure of materials.


Trial Run (Fault Lines, Book 1) by Thomas Locke {Thriller / Suspense Book Review}

Trial Run (Fault Lines, Book 1) by Thomas Locke

Book review disclosure.

Fault Lines, Book 1
Thriller / Suspense

Cutting-edge research requiring controversial experiments. Startling dreams delivering cryptic communication from the dreamer's future self. Ruthless rivals determined to control mind-bending new technology. When you're balancing on the edge of what's possible, trouble awaits, ready to push you into the abyss.

This daring psychological journey into the very nature of causation and consciousness will leave you turning the pages and grasping for solid ground--especially when it becomes clear just how much fact lies within the fiction.

Dr. Gabriella Speciale has assembled an international team of elite scientists with one goal in mind--to create and control out-of-body experiences that transcend the limits of time and space. Reese Clawson's mind-bending experiments aim to explode the boundaries of human consciousness--and annihilate the opposition in the process.

When a terrifying discovery and a string of failed tests threaten to dismantle both programs, the key to survival may reside in the mind of a gifted grad student whose unsettling dreams have thrust him into the center of a dangerous battle for control.

As the threads of perception and reality become tangled and time itself twists in unexpected directions, one warning remains clear: what you don't know can kill you.




My Thoughts

I'm going to admit right up front that I didn't understand the theories behind the quantum physics or the space-time continuum. But the story was so well crafted that it didn't matter. While this novel is science fictionesque it reads completely like a suspense/ thriller. The whys behind what the characters were experimenting with made little sense to me but I quickly became entangled in the overall plot.

Rather than be caught up in all of the experiments with the different characters I was drawn into their personal stories and all the swirling plots to undermine and take out the competitors. I really like Thomas Locke (and Davis Bunn)'s work and I really think this is my favorite novel yet. I'm not particularly fond of sci-fi type of books but this piece of literature seemed to move me beyond that. Yes there is plenty of science fiction going on but there is also mystery and intrigue and a bit of romance as well. I think it will appeal to a large audience.

Now let me tell you about the ending without telling you about the ending. By the time I reached the last page of the last chapter I was worn out. The story came to a nice conclusion. It had a bit of a cliff hanger but not a completely torturous one. The major dilemmas were solved and the characters were in situations that made sense. While the main themes were wrapped up there were things that made you wonder what was going to happen. And then I read the excerpt for book two . . . now that was torture! That little snippet gave just enough information to make me wish I could travel into the future and read the conclusion, just like the fictional characters in the book. How appropriate.

READ AN EXCERPT

Connect With The Author

Thomas Locke



Disclosure of materials.



Blog Designed by: NW Designs