Where She Belongs (Misty Willow, Book 1) by Johnnie Alexander {Contemporary Romance Review}



Misty Willow, Book 1
Contemporary Romance

CAN LOVE REDEEM
A BROKEN PAST?

Shelby Kincaid is ready to move forward after the death of her husband left her devastated. With high hopes for the future, she longs to purchase her family's homestead, Misty Willow, so she can raise her young daughters in the only place she ever truly belonged. She plans to transform the abandoned house into the perfect home of her memories. But she has her work cut out for her.

AJ Sullivan never wanted Shelby's family homestead in the first place. His grandfather left it to him as punishment for not following his wishes, and he's let it fall into ruin. AJ's more than happy to unload it to this spitfire of a woman. But even after angry exchanges over the state of the house, he can't get her off his mind.

With writing that evokes a strong sense of place and family history, Johnnie Alexander deftly explores the ties that bind us to home--and the irresistible forces that draw us to each other.

Read An Excerpt

My Thoughts

When you are a book nerd your biggest thrill is to find a new author that tells a great story. I think I've found that in Johnnie Alexander. She's not a new author but rather a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Where She Belongs is considered a contemporary romance . . . and it is. But it also has a dash of mystery and intrigue thrown into the mix. What I liked about the book is that there were several layers of story going on. Shelby Kincaid is a recent widow and is interested in reclaiming her family home to give her girls the childhood she had. AJ Sullivan wants to bury the past and get on with the life he's chosen. The problem for AJ is that his family has other plans.

When you add to the mix a Hatfield vs. McCoy situation there are sure to be a few dust-ups. There is underhanded schemeing going on that threatens Shelby's new life. When the whole situation unravels and you get to see what is behind it all you'll be surprised.

It is such a good read and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here. If you like a tension filled romance with some mystery thrown in I think you'll like this one too.

Connect With The Author

Photo Credit: © Jodie Westfall Photography

Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Linked In  -  Pinterest






God Remains The Strength Of My Heart {Bible Journaling}


One of the blogs that I follow is Little House Studio. Jenn just inspires me! Not only is her art beautiful, but the words she shares on her page are ones that uplift and encourage.

A few days ago she generously shared this free printable. I couldn't resist printing it off and adding it to my Journaling Bible. I just printed it on cardstock and then cut it out and secured it with washi tape so it would be like a tip in. The size is about 5 x 5. You can download it yourself here.

I enjoy doing my own artwork in my Bible, but I also like to include work from others. It's a nice reminder to me that we aren't on this journey alone. 

Do you print out other people's artwork and include it in your Bible?

London Art Chase (Glimmer Girls, Book 1) by Natalie Grant {Children's Book Review}



Glimmer Girls, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction (ages 8-12)

JOIN TWINS MIA AND MADDIE and their little sister, Lulu, as they travel the country finding adventure, mystery, and mischief along the way. Together with their father, their famous mother, singer Gloria Glimmer, and their slightly wacky nanny, Miss Julia, the smart and sassy sisters learn lessons about being good friends, telling the truth, and a whole lot more.

Their first trip to jolly old England brings their
first chance to be private investigators!

There is pure excitement in the Glimmer family as the group heads to London for the first time to watch mom, famous singer Gloria Glimmer, perform. But on a day trip to the National Gallery, Maddie witnesses an art theft and takes her sisters and Miss Julia on a wild and crazy adventure as they follow the thief through London to his lair.

Will the Glimmer Girls save the day? And will Maddie find what makes her shine?



My Thoughts

This highly anticipated series is finally here! I am a fan of Natalie Grant and I have been excited to read her new children's series in hopes of sharing it with my grand girls. After reading this first installment I have to admit that I have mixed feelings about it. Most of the book I really liked but there is a part that I did not like at all.

Let me start by telling you what I liked. The three sisters Maddie, Mia, and Lulu are clever and fun yet come across as true siblings (can you say sibling rivalry?). Maddie and Mia are 10-year-old twins. Mia is very outgoing and loves to perform. Maddie is more of an introvert and loves art. Lulu is six and she's a handful.
The family is on a business trip to London where the momma, Gloria Glimmer, is scheduled to do several concerts. While the parents are busy with rehearsals and concerts the girls and their nanny take in the sights of London. I enjoyed the way that facts about the sights were slipped into the dialogue. What a fun way for your girls to learn a little while they are being entertained with a good story. 

All in all this is a good read that is sure to keep your daughter's attention. But I would be remiss if I didn't say what disturbed me about the story. I'm about to provide a bit of a spoiler but I am assuming that the parents are reading this review so it shouldn't matter in the scheme of things.

Without giving too many details about the story there is a point in the book where Maddie sneaks out of the hotel by herself and seeks out the art thief. She is a 10-year-old little girl wandering the streets of London. She does eventually meet up with a presumably safe man that helps her. While that is disturbing what made me frustrated was that when all was said and done and Maddie was once again safe with her family, her mother wound up apologizing to Maddie for not paying better attention to her needs. The momma did say that there would be consequences for Maddie's actions but those consequences didn't materialize. Instead the family went to eat ice cream and ride the giant ferris wheel. I really would have preferred a better lesson on self-control and making better decisions to stay safe.

Connect With The Author






The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength {Bible Journaling}


Several months ago I watched a series of tutorial videos by Darlene Schacht from Time Warp Wife on how to draw scrolls and roses. I bookmarked it and kept thinking I would get back to it and give it a try. Well yesterday was the day!

If you've ever wanted to draw scrolls or roses you really need to check her video series out. She makes the explanations simple and easy to follow. I practiced on scratch paper a few times and then just got brave and penciled it in my Bible. It actually turned out better than I had imagined it would! 

I followed Darlene's directions with these exceptions. I used a .01 Pigma Micron pen to go over the pencil lines and I used watercolor to paint the image. The background behind the words and flowers turned out darker than I had originally planned but I'm okay with it.

The Bible that I used is the ESV Single Column Journaling Bible.

About The Scripture

Nehemiah 8:10 falls in the middle of the chapter and actually towards the middle of the book. If you remember your Old Testament history you'll recall that Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall that surrounds the city and protects it from its enemies.

We pick up at this verse after the wall has been rebuilt. Ezra has gathered all the people into the square for a dedication of the wall. And he has read to them the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. (Just a side note . . . I have written in the margin of my Bible that this was the first small groups or Sunday School!) With the reading of the Law came shame and guilt upon the people. They began to mourn and weep because they knew that they had not kept these laws and it lead to the destruction of their city.

But then Nehemiah stepped forward and said, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." Then he said to them, " Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:9-10)

I love this beautiful reminder in Scripture. Yes just like me the Israelites disobeyed the Lord's commands. But this wasn't a new revelation to God. He knew beforehand that they and I would disobey and He provided a way for us to be reconciled with Him. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds of the fact that true strength and security is found in Christ alone.


Just Let Go {Movie Review}



DVD
Rated PG-13 for accident images and thematic material
Movie Run Time - 106 mins

COULD YOU FORGIVE?
WOULD YOU?

In the face of tragedy, Chris Williams made the most important decision of his life. On a cold night in 2007, a devoted father of four and a seventeen-year-old drunk driver both received life sentences. In one violent, devasting instant, each faced a drastically different future. But as Chris Williams sat in his demolished vehicle, realizing that his wife, unborn baby, nine-year-old daughter, and eleven-year-old son had just been killed, he committed to do something extraordinary: he would forgive. Chris Williams' story is the cinematic tale of how someone can forgive despite the desire for revenge that surfaces within the dark corners of the human heart--showing the world that hope, love and forgiveness can overcome all when you just let go.




My Thoughts

If you've ever been forgiven or had the opportunity to forgive, you already know the power that lies behind that act. As Christians we know that it is required of us. Christ forgave us and we are required to forgive others. 

The hard part is overcoming every desire of the flesh to lash out and seek retribution. That's just where Chris Williams found himself. His whole world as he knew it had been shattered by a senseless act. Chris knew that he needed to forgive just as he had been forgiven. But all around him the cry for justice was rising up. From family, from friends, and even from circumstances such as mounting hospital bills the need to seek retribution resounded over and over again.

But a still small voice cried out, "Let it go." 

I will admit that this story begins slow as it sets the stage for the trial. There are many flash-backs and angst ridden scenes but if you will hang with it you won't regret it. You need the background information to understand all that is going on but the real meat of the movie begins as the trial winds down. There are three pivotal points that are still resonating with me.

The first is the scene with the judge. The judge asks Chris if he believes the defendant should be tried as an adult or a juvenile. Chris speaks truth when he says that he and the defendant have already been given a life sentence no matter which way the judge decides to rule.

The second scene is the one where Chris shares with his grieving and angry sons about a past incident that changed his life and led him to his ability to forgive.

The final scene is perhaps my favorite of the three. Chris is a minister and we get to see him give a sermon talking not only about his own family but about the prodigal son and how it relates. It will forever change the way I think about that story. 
I would highly recommend this movie to everyone (with the exception of small children). I believe it will help you look at the act of forgiveness as more than a requirement. It will allow you to see it as the first step in healing and becoming whole again.

Finally . . . let me leave you with a very powerful song and video. It is called Rise & Fall and it is from the soundtrack from Just Let Go. Enjoy!





Thin Ice (Men of Valor, Book 2) by Irene Hannon {Romantic Suspense Review}



Men or Valor, Book 2
Romantic Suspense

IF GINNY REED IS STILL ALIVE--
WHO IS THE WOMAN BURIED IN HER GRAVE?

After losing her parents and her sister, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Now, life is finally starting to feel normal again--until an envelope addressed in her sister's handwriting arrives in the mail. And the note inside claims she is still alive.

FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case . . . but he's coming up with more questions than answers. Is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game--or the target of a sinister plot? As Lance digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: someone in the shadows has a deadly agenda.

Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon pulls out all the stops in this high-stakes thriller that races to a bone-chilling finish.

READ AN EXCERPT

My Thoughts

Thin Ice is one of those creepy stalker murder mystery type of stories that makes you wonder about the strangers around you. The opening scene has Christy Reeed showing up at her sister's house only to find it engulfed in flames with her sister presumably still inside. 

The story then fast forwards two months and we discover that the body in the burned out house was not her sister after all. Even though Christy has been warned not to contact authorities she does and FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor begins to sift through the mounting evidence surrounding her parents death and her sister's kidnapping. 

Pretty much from the start you know who the suspect is. Irene Hannon flips between telling the story from Christy's perspective and that of the perpetrator. What you don't know is the why. And that is what makes this a spine tingling read. 

In the midst of all the danger is a budding attraction between Christy and the handsome Agent McGregor. Of course it wouldn't be proper for them to have a relationship during the investigation . . . but when everything gets settled the chemistry between the two begs to be explored. 

While this book is part of a series the story stands on its own. The characters and situations from the first book are mentioned so I wouldn't read them out of order, but it would be okay to read this book without reading the first. I'm looking forward to reading this book with my book club and also reading the third book in the series. There's a teaser introduction to book three at the end of this book. Be forewarned, it's good and will make you impatient for the rest of the story.

If you are part of a book club you can find discussion questions for Thin Ice here. 

Other Reviews For This Author


Connect With The Author

Photo Credit: © DeWeesePhotography.com












The Rhyme Bible Storybook For Little Ones by L. J. Sattgast {Children's Book Review}



L. J. Sattgast
Illustrated by Laurence Cleyet-Merle
Juvenile Nonfiction 

The fun-time, anytime, read-aloud Bible rhyme!

Boys and girls love the soothing sounds of rhyme. Now toddlers have a rhyming Bible created just for them! From the story of creation to the resurrection of Jesus, this is the perfect choice for parents who want to introduce their toddlers to the Word of God. Joyful pictures and classic stories told in vivid verse make this a sure favorite that will entertain your young ones and teach them biblical lessons that last a lifetime.




My Thoughts

When I am choosing books to read to my littlest grands I tend to gravitate to rhyming verse books. The words are catchy and the rhythm seems to help my littles retain the material. Plus it's just fun to read!

Most of the stories in  The Rhyme Bible Storybook For Little Ones contain poems that are easily remembered and repeated. I absolutely love hearing my grands retell a story that we just shared. The cuteness is just over the top. 

This book contains ten classic Bible stories, six from the Old Testament and four from the New Testament. I was pleased that they captured not only the essence but the true meaning of each of the passages even though the story has been turned into a rhyming verse. 

This book was formerly published under the title of The Rhyme Bible Storybook for Toddlers and contains all the same material. It is a very sturdy padded cover board book that will stand up to the handling that little ones dish out. Easter isn't that far away and I think this would make a wonderful addition to your little one's Easter basket. 



An October Bride (Year of Weddings Novella) by Katie Ganshert {eBook Review}



Year of Weddings Novella
Contemporary Fiction

What if the only way you could make your father’s last wish come true . . . was to marry the man of your dreams?

Emma Tate has just moved on from one fiancé, so when she announces a sudden engagement to her lifelong buddy Jake Sawyer, every busybody in Mayfair goes into high alert. Of course, no one but Jake and Emma know the real reason they’re getting married—so Emma’s dying father will have a chance to walk her down the aisle.

But while Jake and Emma move forward with their plan—and frantically plan an October wedding—it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications . . . the biggest being their true feelings for each other.

With dubious friends, deliriously thrilled parents, and a town that won’t keep its nose out of their business, Emma and Jake will have a lot to contend with if they’re going to pull this off. The real question is: Who wants this wedding more, Emma’s dad . . . or Emma?

My Thoughts

After reading several of the novellas in this series I have to say that this one took me completely by surprise. Yes, it is a story about a wedding but it is also a story about an impending death. Emma Tate is heartbroken over her father's declining health and is desperate to do something for him.

By accident she stumbles upon her father's bucket list. As fate would have it there is one thing on the list that has not been checked off and that only she can make happen. Her father wishes to walk her down the aisle. Unfortunately she's broken up with her fiance and doesn't have another prospect in sight.

Enter long time family friend Jake Sawyer. Emma has had a crush on Jake for-ev-er! Jake and her brother are good friends so Emma is used to Jake being around. When Emma confesses her desire to Jake he volunteers to be the groom. The plan is to get married now while her father can still walk her down the aisle and sort out the details of the marriage later. It could be a recipe for disaster.

I loved, loved, loved this story from Katie Ganshert. Even with a serious underlying theme it is still a beautiful love story. Katie's author voice is witty and the thoughts that go through her character's heads are amusing. An October Bride is short and sweet but it definitely leaves you feeling like you read a complete story.

Connect With The Author










Angels in the Bible Storybook by Allia Zobel Nolan {Children's Book Review}



Illustrated by Alida Massari
Juvenile Nonfiction (ages 4-8)

Why did an angel force a donkey off a road? Whom did the angels get out of jail twice? Angels in the Bible Storybook, written by bestselling author Allia Zobel Nolan, with illustrations by Alida Massari, gives children the answers to these and other questions, as they read how God's angels interacted with Bible greats from Abraham, Lot, and Gideon to Zechariah, Mary, and Jesus himself, acting as messengers protectors, warriors, and more.




My Thoughts

When you think of angels how do they appear? What do you imagine their roles are in our day-to-day lives? The culture around us tends to give a distorted viewpoint that can be confusing especially to our children. So where do you go to figure out who they are and what their role is?

In Angels in the Bible Storybook Allia Zobel Nolan takes us directly to scripture and leads us from the first appearance of angels to discover who these mysterious creatures are. There are thirty total stories, fifteen from the Old Testament and fifteen from the New Testament. As the stories unfold we get to see the angels in their primary roles of praising God. We also see how God uses them to bring news to His people, help His people when they are in sticky situations, and comfort His people when they are struggling.

As an adult I enjoyed reading through this concentrated account of angels. If you are like me you will take away such a blessing from being reminded that these amazing creatures do God's bidding to lead you down the path that He has set before you. 

I loved Alida Massari's illustrations! They have an old world meets mixed media feel that is pleasing to the eye. While the pictures are beautiful and do a marvelous job of enhancing the book, it is the stories themselves that make the book worth reading to your children. As you read through these thirty biblical accounts you will help your kids understand who and what angels are. That will be an invaluable thing as they grow and enter into the world. Knowing what the real thing is all about will help them recognize and avoid the impostors. 

Connect With The Author






Lightning (Stone Braide Chronicles, Bk 2) by Bonnie S. Calhoun {YA Dystopian Book Review}



Stone Braide Chronicles, Bk 2
YA Fiction / Dystopian Romance

Selah's past and her future are about to collide . . . 
and time is running out.

Selah Rishon thought that finding her real father would solve her problems. Instead it has created a host of new ones. She is feeling strange, destructive flashes of power within her body. The family she left behind is being sequestered in the Mountain. And if her father and his team cannot find the key to the West and make contact with the Third Protocol of Landers, Selah will fracture.

Selah is trying to accept this new world, but none of the facts she's learned about novarium or Landers are adding up. Determined to find answers, she launches a new rescue effort to the Mountain. But will the prison that holds her family become Selah's grave?

READ AN EXCERPT

My Thoughts

If you've been in the teen section of your local book store or library you already know that dystopian fiction is all the rage. We're not talking old school dystopian like Orwell's 1984 or Huxley's Brave New World. I'm talking about things like The Hunger Games and Divergent series.

I don't want to take issue with those books but let's just say that I want something better for my teens to read. I believe I've found it in Bonnie S. Calhoun's Stone Braide Chronicles series. The first book in the series was entitled Thunder. There are also two ebooks Tremors and Aftershock that fill in some of the background. (I've not read either of the ebooks.) I was pleasantly surprised by this series because it isn't my usual go to genre. Lightning has solidified my love for this author's writing.

Lightning picks up where we left off with Selah and the rest of the characters. Because of that I would characterize this as a series that needs to be read in order. (I still think the ebooks are optional but they would enhance the story.) The story line is complex and without the background material I think you would be a bit lost.

The story is intense and fast-paced. Perfect to keep the attention of a young adult reader. As I've said before I'm not a young adult and I don't normaly care for dystopian fiction but Bonnie Calhoun's writing style is absolutely riveting. There is very little fluff involved in these stories but they are chock-full of moral dilemmas that cause the reader to ponder their own response. 

While the ending was quite satisfying it also leaves open the need for more books in this series. I can't wait to read them and see how this futuristic society will survive. Thanks Bonnie Calhoun for changing my mind about a genre and providing hours of reading enjoyment.

Connect With The Author










Every Girl Gets Confused (Brides with Style, Bk 2) by Janice Thompson {Book Review}



Brides with Style, Book 2
Contemporary Romance

HOW CAN SHE CHOOSE BETWEEN THE LOVE
SHE THOUGHT SHE LOST
AND THE LOVE SHE STUMBLED UPON
IN THE AFTERMATH?

Katie Fisher and Brady James may be a match made in heaven, but that doesn't seem to guarantee them a happily ever after accompanied by angelic choirs. Katie's almost-fiancé Casey is back in Fairfield, ready to rekindle their relationship. And there's nothing Katie's parents want more than for their small-town girl to leave Dallas and come home for good.

But can she really leave Brady behind? And will she ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?

READ AN EXCERPT

My Thoughts

Nobody does romantic comedy better than Janice Thompson. When I'm in a slump I can always count on one of her stories to make me laugh. 

Every Girl Gets Confused is the second book in the Brides with Style series. The story of Katie Fisher and Brady James continues as they get closer and closer. The only problem is Casey. You'll remember him from Every Bride Needs A Groom. He's Katie's almost fiance. 

Or at least Katie thought he was almost her fiance. Remember he ditched her at the last minute? Yeah that guy! Well he's back and he's looking to throw a wrench into Katie and Brady's relationship. 

Katie and Brady aren't the only headline. Wait until you read about the transformation of Katie's cranky grandma Queenie. She's found love and it has turned her into a whole new woman. Plus there's much more going on with the rest of the family. I still want to be related to Aunt Alva and cousin Lori Lou. Those two tend to keep things lively.

If you are looking for a light-hearted read that won't numb your brain pick up this delightful book (or series). I think there is enough background info for you to read it without reading the first book but I would still recommend treating yourself and reading the first one just to be able to spend a little more time with these zany characters.

Connect With The Author









Little Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist {Children's Book Review}



Illustrated by Sophie Allsopp
Juvenile Nonfiction (ages 3-5)

"I had so much fun making the world! But do
you know the very best thing I made?
It was you!"

What child doesn't love to receive mail? In this heartwarming lift-the-flap book, children can open and read their own personal mail from God as they experience some of the best-loved stories of the Bible. As each captivating story unfolds, children will eagerly await the opportunity to open the envelope and read God's message of love written especially for them.

Here's a nice little peek inside the book. 

My Thoughts

A little over a year ago Love Letters from God came out and I reviewed it and told you how much I really liked it. I shared it with my older grandchildren and we enjoyed reading and discussing the content. Unfortunately it just wasn't suitable for the littlest grands. The flaps would have easily torn and we would have all been sad so I didn't share it with them.

I'm happy to tell you that Little Love Letters from God has the wonderful essence of the original but it is perfectly designed for those sweet little hands to engage with the content. The same eight stories are included but Glenys has turned them into rhythmic poems that are short and sweet and capture the attention span of little ones. The beautiful illustrations from Sophie are also simplified but they are every bit as darling as the originals. Each story is from the Bible and reinforces just how much God loves his little children. Just like the original each letter can be customized for your special little one. 

If you enjoyed Love Letters from God with your older children I think you will enjoy Little Love Letters from God for your younger children. I'm so glad that we have copies of both because you can never share too much about how much God loves His children.




Connect With The Author



Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Google+




The Lost Heiress (Ladies of the Manor) by Roseanna M. White {Book Review}



Ladies of the Manor, Book 1
Historical Fiction

Sweeping
ROMANCE AND MYSTERY
IN THE EDWARDIAN ERA

Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. When her friend Justin uncovers the fact that she is possibly a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea and the estate of her supposed family.

The mystery of her mother's death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook's life is threatened do they draw close--but will their loyalty come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother?

As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that their friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?

And then for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession--and those who can save her still aren't sure whom to trust.

READ AN EXCERPT

My Thoughts

If you enjoy Edwardian era stories (think Downton Abbey) like I do then I think you will really enjoy The Lost Heiress. It is full of mystery and intrigue yet it still has a complicated love story that will keep you reading well past your bedtime.

The story is full of Lords and Ladies, Earls and Countesses, and even a Duke or two. The lives of the aristocracy is so fascinating. In this tale we begin in Monaco where Brook is living with whom she supposes is her grandfather. For her entire life there has been this great mystery of who she really is. Her childhood friend Justin Wildon has been helping her to unravel the mystery. When the story opens Justin has come to Monte Carlo to tell Brook what he's found out and it is a giant surprise that will change the course of Brook's life.

As the story of Brook's parentage unfolds so does the danger. Brook finds herself living at Whitby Park in North Yorkshire, England at the home of her long lost father, The Earl of Whitby. There she learns even more about the death of her mother and her own disappearance as a baby. But with those answers only more questions develop and as Brook continues the investigation into the accident the danger to herself and others increases.

The end of the story is complex with answers to the ongoing tragedies and also the full disclosure of what happened to Brook as an infant. I found the entire story fascinating and was pleased that it continued to build in intensity rather than lag in the middle. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a bit of mystery mixed with romance.

Connect With The Author










Blog Designed by: NW Designs