Broker of Lies (Travis Brock Thriller #1) by Steven James | Political Suspense Review

Broker of Lies

Travis Brock Thriller #1

Steven James

Political Suspense

The man who knows all our secrets has a secret of his own.

When Travis Brock, a high-level Pentagon redactor with an eidetic memory, finds a clue to solving the tragic arson that took his wife from him, he risks everything to find the truth—and chances losing himself in the process.

With a terror attack looming on the horizon and a pair of assassins on his tail, Brock drops off the grid and joins forces with a disavowed Homeland Security operative. Together they race to stop the attack before Brock is neutralized by the people he trusts the most.

From critically acclaimed, bestselling novelist Steven James comes a smart, wire-tight, and emotionally resonant thriller that asks just how far across the line we might go to see justice carried out.

My Thoughts

I love a good political thriller and this was definitely a good one. If you've read much of Steven James' work you know that there will be plenty of plot twists and turns. Broker of Lies has taken that format and turned it up a notch.

There are surprises along the way but I felt like I was getting the idea of what was going on even in the background. I couldn't have been more wrong. In fact when I was 96% finished there was a twist that I didn't see coming. And then there was the ending. BAM! Let's just say that book two is going to be highly anticipated at my house. 

The plot deals with our nuclear energy and could seriously be taken straight from today's headlines. Scary but it makes for a very compelling story. I recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a complex tale that has a ring of true life to it.

Disclaimer

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.
 

Heirlooms by Sandra Byrd | Contemporary Fiction Review

Heirlooms

Sandra Byrd

Contemporary Fiction

Answering a woman’s desperate call for help, young Navy widow Helen Devries opens her Whidbey Island home as a refuge to Choi Eunhee. As they bond over common losses and a delicate, potentially devastating secret, their friendship spans the remainder of their lives.

After losing her mother, Cassidy Quinn spent her childhood summers with her gran, Helen, at her farmhouse. Nourished by her grandmother’s love and encouragement, Cassidy discovers a passion that she hopes will bloom into a career. But after Helen passes, Cassidy learns that her home and garden have fallen into serious disrepair. Worse, a looming tax debt threatens her inheritance. Facing the loss of her legacy and in need of allies and ideas, Cassidy reaches out to Nick, her former love, despite the complicated emotions brought by having him back in her life.

Cassidy inherits not only the family home but a task, spoken with her grandmother’s final breaths: ask Grace Kim—Eunhee’s granddaughter—to help sort through the contents of the locked hope chest in the attic. As she and Grace dig into the past, they unearth their grandmothers’ long-held secret and more. Each startling revelation reshapes their understanding of their grandmothers and ultimately inspires the courage to take risks and make changes to own their lives.

Set in both modern-day and midcentury Whidbey Island, Washington, this dual-narrative story of four women—grandmothers and granddaughters—intertwines across generations to explore the secrets we keep, the love we pass down, and the heirlooms we inherit from a well-lived life.

READ AN EXCERPT

My Thoughts

Prepare to have your heartstrings tugged! In fact by chapter thirteen you're probably going to need a tissue. Sandra Byrd has become known for her stirring tales and in my opinion, Heirlooms, shoots to the top of the list.

The story begins in the late fifties and takes place on the beautiful Whidbey Island just off the coast of Washington state. There we meet Helen and Eunhee. They are two young widows that are as different as can be but through time they come to realize that their differences are also their strengths. 

Later in the story time shifts to the present day and we meet their granddaughters Cassidy and Grace. Both girls were very close with their grandmothers and I venture to guess they thought they knew almost everything about them. They didn't. In fact the two grandmothers shared a secret that sent shockwaves through the girls.

This was such a beautiful story of love and friendship. I will never look at my Rose of Sharon bush or my old handwritten recipe cards the same. I'm neither a foodie nor a gardener but I have an appreciation of both and this story just enhanced that appreciation. 

Heirlooms is definitely a story not to be missed. Treat yourself with this one. It would of course be a lovely gift as well.

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

 

Dark Intercept (The Shepherds Series #1) by Brian Andrews and Jeffery Wilson | Supernatural Suspense Review

Dark Intercept

Shepherds Series #1

Brian Andrews and Jeffery Wilson

Supernatural Suspense

When dark forces rise, are faith and firepower enough?

On the eve of his medical retirement, Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson receives a frantic call from his estranged childhood best friend David Yarnell. David’s daughter has been kidnapped off the streets of Nashville in broad daylight. The police have no suspects and no leads. The only clue: the body of a dead priest left behind at the scene. With the clock ticking, David is growing desperate, as is his wife, Rachel . . . Jed’s first love.

Despite his painful history with David and Rachel, Jed agrees to help. But he’s spent his career as a door-kicking Navy SEAL, not an investigator. His presence immediately draws unwanted attention, creates friction with the local police, and triggers a mysterious attempt on his life. Just when he thinks things can’t get worse, it starts to happen again―the voices in his head, the nightmares, the visions. Dark memories and strange abilities, things he believed he’d left behind when he fled Nashville for the Navy at eighteen, begin to resurface.

Jed realizes that to save the missing girl, he must take a leap of faith and embrace the gifts he’s denied for all these years. To foil this dark intercept, he’ll need more than just his years as a SEAL operator, because he has no choice now but to take up arms and join the battle in the unseen spiritual warfare raging all around him. And there is far more at stake than just a missing girl: the world is not the place he thought it was―and he is not alone.

Follow the military heroes of The Shepherds series as they bring the power of light into the dark mystery of Sara Beth’s abduction.

My Thoughts

This book has sat in my TBR pile for a couple of months. Several of my friends had read it and enjoyed it but I just wasn't sure it was my cup of tea. But I eventually took a chance on it and I'm glad I did.

My hesitation didn't change right away. The prologue and first couple of chapters were very military focused and I almost set the book aside. But then a different aspect was introduced and the roller coaster ride began. And what a ride it was. 

The book description says it is a military thriller with a supernatural twist. That's exactly what it is in all the exciting ways. The supernatural twist usually gives me pause but this was just fascinating. I don't like books with that 'woo-woo' factor. This story did a good job of not crossing into that territory. 

I just noticed that there are two more books scheduled in this series and I'm looking forward to reading them both. 

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

 

The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers | Historical Romance Review

The Lady's Mine

Francine Rivers

Historical Romance

1875. When Kathryn Walsh arrives in tiny Calvada, a mining town nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, falling in love is the farthest thing from her mind. Banished from Boston by her wealthy stepfather, she has come to claim an inheritance from the uncle she never knew: a defunct newspaper office on a main street overflowing with brothels and saloons, and a seemingly worthless mine. Moved by the oppression of the local miners and their families, Kathryn decides to relaunch her uncle’s newspaper―and then finds herself in the middle of a maelstrom, pitted against Calvada’s most powerful men. But Kathryn intends to continue to say―and publish―whatever she pleases, especially when she knows she’s right.

Matthias Beck, owner of a local saloon and hotel, has a special interest in the new lady in town. He instantly recognizes C. T. Walsh’s same tenacity in the beautiful and outspoken redhead―and knows all too well how dangerous that family trait can be. While Kathryn may be right about Calvada’s problems, her righteousness could also get her killed. But when the handsome hotelier keeps finding himself on the same side of the issues as the opinionated Miss Walsh, Matthias’s restless search for purpose becomes all about answering the call of his heart.

My Thoughts

I was so excited when Francine River's newest book came out. I put it on my Kindle as soon as possible. But I found myself putting off reading it. While I have loved each and every book that she has written they usually contain serious and even heavy emotional material. 

I don't know about you, but at our house it's been a long two years and I just wasn't in the frame of mind to read something heavy. Then one day I read a blog post by Francine Rivers about The Lady's Mine.  In the post she talks about all of us coming out of a heavy season and her desire to write something lighter that we could all find enjoyment in. 

With that information I decided to take a chance and give it a read. I'm so glad I did. It was a delightful story about a rugged man and a feisty woman who find themselves at odds about most things but also drawn together about the important things. The title is a clever double meaning and it was just the escape that I needed. If you enjoy a good historical romance give this one a shot.

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

 

Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore | Romantic Suspense Review

Breach of Honor

Janice Cantore 

Romantic Suspense

As a police officer in Table Rock, Oregon, Leah Radcliff puts her life on the line to help others every day. But at home, Leah’s battling her own personal nightmare: Brad, her abusive husband, a fellow officer, celebrated hero, and beloved son of a powerful prominent family. Brad’s violent outbursts and suspicious activities have left Leah physically and emotionally scarred, until one desperate action to put a stop to his abuse results in deadly consequences.

Though public opinion seems ready to convict Leah, Officer Clint Tanner is one of the few to believe she acted in self-defense. As he works with Leah’s attorney to produce the evidence they need, new truths about Brad’s dark side come to light—and reveal a deep-rooted problem in Table Rock. There are some who have breached their sworn duty to serve and protect . . . and they’ll do anything to keep their secret safe.

My Thoughts

It's been a couple of years since I read a story by Janice Cantore. That was a big mistake on my part. In that time frame I had forgotten just how good her stories are. She is a retired law enforcement officer and that experience shines through in her writing.

Breach of Honor revolves around the law enforcement of Table Rock, Oregon. On the outside all looks fine but when you begin to break open the shell you see deep corruption. Unfortunately the corruption isn't limited to just the police department. Other departments and even civilians are involved. Uncovering all of the participants can prove deadly.

This book includes domestic violence, smuggling, and any other form of corruption that you can imagine. Just when you think you understand what is going on a new element will be uncovered. You really don't know everything until the very end.

If you are a fan of romantic suspense then this is definitely a book you want to get your hands on. I'm looking forward to going back and reading Janice's books that I have missed. You better believe that I won't let this much time lapse again before I read more from her!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate my review.

 

Bible Journaling Through Advent with Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp

I love the Advent season. It is such a special time that we can quiet our minds and open our hearts to the message of redemption for the whole world. In our household we begin on December 1st with a Jesse tree and use it to trace the lineage of the long expected Messiah.

Last year was the first time we used Ann Voskamp's beautiful book Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas. We used the ornaments download that corresponds with the book and crafted our own.

I collect coasters throughout the year (like the ones you get at restaurants) so I wind up with assorted shapes and sizes. For these particular ornaments I put a basecoat of black paint on the coaster and then lightly put a coat of copper paint over the top so some of the black peeked through.

I used colored pencils and markers to color the picture then cut it out and glued it on. To make it more durable I put a coat of varnish over the whole thing. To finish it off I added some decorative copper brads and a twine hanger.

This year we wanted to again use Unwrapping the Greatest Gift but I wanted to do something a bit different. I have been using my Journaling Bible to do a bit of Bible Art Journaling throughout the year and I decided that I would like to do that with the Advent readings from the book.

To do this, I again downloaded and printed off the ornament sheets that go with the book. By the way these come in two different sizes - 4 inch which is 4 per page and 2 1/2 inch which is 6 per page. I chose the 4 inch size.

I cut out the ornaments and then rounded the corners. I used colored pencils to decorate the ornaments and then I attached them to the Bible page with a strip of washi tape.

Since this is something that we do each day of Advent as a family I certainly didn't want to leave the little ones out. For those that don't do Bible Art Journaling I printed out the coloring pages that go along with Unwrapping the Greatest Gift.

Each night as we sit down to read the story for the day I pass out the coloring sheets and crayons and let the little ones color. This helps them listen and sit still plus it plants seeds that I hope will blossom in years to come.

If you are looking for a doable activity for this Advent season I would encourage you to get the book and download the resources. If you are reading this and it is past December first . . . don't fret . . . just start with the current day and go from there. You can always catch up later. Remember the season isn't about going and doing it's about quieting our hearts and minds and unwrapping the greatest Gift!

By Your Side (Crisis Team, Book 1) by Candace Calvert {Contemporary Romance Review}

By Your Side

Crisis Team, Book 1

Candace Calvert

Contemporary Romance

ER NURSE MACY WYNN learned essential, gritty lessons in the California foster care system: land on your feet and trust no one. She’s finally located the fellow foster child she loves like a sister, but the girl’s in deep trouble. Macy’s determined to help, no matter what it takes. Her motto is to “make it happen” in any situation life throws at her—even when she butts heads with an idealistic cop.

Deputy Fletcher Holt believes in a higher plan, the fair outcome—and his ability to handle that by himself if necessary. Now he’s been yanked from Houston, his mother is battling cancer, and he’s attracted to a strong-willed nurse who could be the target of a brutal sniper.

When everything goes wrong, where do they put their trust?

Read An Excerpt

My Thoughts

By God's grace alone I have never been faced with a severe enough emergency to warrant a visit from a Crises Care Team. I have a friend who is a chaplain with our local fire department and I thought I knew what he did but this novel has opened my eyes to something completely new.

Candace Calvert has done a phenomenal job of bringing to life a cast of characters that allow us to go inside the world of crisis counseling. Through some very traumatic situations we get to see how a group of giving and selfless individuals minister to others during very vulnerable times in their lives. 

While the two main characters aren't counselors, one is an ER nurse and the other is a deputy, they both work in an environment that interacts with these counselors. I liked Macy Wynn from the start. She's strong on the outside but so vulnerable on the inside. Fletcher Holt is destine to make many female readers swoon. He is a man of deep faith and character but still flawed and reliant on his family and his God to see him through. From the very first meeting of these two I was cheering them on as they tip toed through some rough patches in order to have a relationship.

By Your Side is a bit longer that your average contemporary romance but it is worth every extra minute it takes to read. The dialogue is witty and engaging and the action and suspense make the pages just fly by. This is a great beginning to what looks to be an interesting series.

Connect With The Author

www.CandaceCalvert.com

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Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta ~ Historical Fiction Review

Price of Privilege

Price of Privilege Trilogy, Book 3

Jessica Dotta

Historical Fiction

WHERE WILL SHE TURN

WHEN THE TRUTH BECOMES MORE 

DANGEROUS THAN THE LIE?

HAVING FINALLY DISCOVERED the truth of her birthright, Julia Elliston is determined to outwit Chance Macy at his own game. Holding a secret he’d kill to keep, however, is proving more difficult than she imagined.

Just when Julia thinks she’s managed to untangle herself from Macy’s clutches, he changes tactics with a risky ploy. As the scandal of the century breaks loose, drawing rooms all over London whisper what so far newspapers have not dared to print: Macy’s lost bride is none other than Lord Pierson’s daughter—and one of the most controversial cases of marital law ever seen comes before Victorian courts.

Though Julia knows Macy’s version of events is another masterful manipulation, public opinion is swaying in his favor. Caught in a web of deceit and lies, armed only with a fledgling faith, Julia must face her fiercest trial yet.

My Thoughts

The problem with being a lover of British literature from the likes of Austen and the Bronte sisters is that once you have read their complete works then all the mystery is gone. Granted you can still read them over and over again and enjoy them, but that delicious indulgence of a first reading can be no more.

Two years ago I read my first Jessica Dotta book which was actually the first book in the Price of Privilege Trilogy. It really was just as magical as curling up with one of the classics. Book one, Born of Persuasion set the stage for our main character Julia Elliston. The story is told through out all three books in a narrative form from the perspective of Julia looking back over the events of her life. The second book, Mark of Distinction draws the reader deeper into the dangerous world that Julia finds herself in. As with the first many things are left unfinished and the reader is compelled to anticipate the next installment.

Finally we have arrived at the conclusion of the trilogy with Price of Privilege. I am sad to see the story end, but sad in an also satisfied way. Up until the very end of this book you are left wondering exactly how all of the tangled knots from the past can be undone. It seems as if the lies will be believed as truth and the darkness will overshadow the light. 

The storyline of Julia learning to trust and turn to her herd is one that we all need to listen to. God put specific people into Julia's life to give her protection. Like many of us she struggled to listen to God and to trust what was put before her. Many times she chose her own way and it just continued to lead to destruction. 

I would say that these are not stand-alone works. Each installment builds into the next and leads to the ultimate finish. Looking back on the three books I am struck with how short the actual time frame of events is. Of course there are flashbacks to childhood and earlier times, but the current setting covered is only a matter of weeks. Ms. Dotta did a fantastic job of spreading the material out over the three books without making it feel like the story was dragging. I can't imagine the story being any shorter nor any longer. It had that perfect feel of completion when it was finished.

Connect With The Author

www.JessicaDotta.com

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Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp ~ Christmas Gift Guide

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas

Ann Voskamp

Christmas & Advent

Unwrap the greatest Gift 

with your family this Advent season!

Person by person, story by story, retrace the lineage of Jesus. Fall in love with Him all over again as you experience God's plan of salvation for us--from the Garden of Eden to the manger and beyond.

With vivid, full-color illustrations, downloadable ornaments, and moving scenes from the Bible, this book is a gift your whole family can unwrap each day leading up to Christmas.

Each devotion includes the following:

• Scripture readings to go along with each story
• questions and activities to engage the entire family
• beautiful illustrations to further enhance each reading

Celebrate the best love story of all time with your family!

My Thoughts
Since our children were little we have been celebrating Advent with a Jesse tree in our home. It is a wonderful way to trace the lineage of Christ and instill understanding of that great heritage. In Ann Voskamp's newest book Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas, we can continue that tradition with our grandchildren at a whole new level.
The book is beautifully illustrated and the words are put together to reach deep into each one of our lives so that we can understand that this isn't only Christ's story but our story as well. What sets this book apart from what we have been doing isn't the basic information because that hasn't changed, it is the presentation and the added resources that make this a fabulous new tradition for families.
The timeline to participate in this is December 1st through December 25th. Each day begins with a reading of Scripture and then follows with a story that pertains to that passage. The readings are followed up with Thoughts to Discuss and Family Activities. But the awesomeness doesn't end there! You can also choose to download a Night Before Advent Hot Chocolate Party resources, Jesse Tree Coloring Pages for the little ones, and there are even Jesse Tree Ornaments that go along with each day's reading.
If you are looking for a way to make Christmas more about Christ and the gift He gave than the ones wrapped under the tree, pick a copy of this book up. You will have all you need to enjoy a family celebration of Christmas.
Connect With The Author

www.AHolyExperience.com

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Evergreen by Susan May Warren ~ Christmas Gift Guide for Book Lovers

Evergreen

A Christiansen Winter Novella

Susan May Warren

Contemporary Fiction / Romance

That's the magic of good-bye . . .

IT MAKES WAY FOR SOMETHING NEW.

AN UNEXPECTED HELLO.

An empty nest has Ingrid Christiansen dreading the upcoming holidays, but her husband, John, couldn’t be more excited about this new season of life. He even has a surprise trip abroad planned. He’s sure she’ll love it. What’s more romantic than Christmas in Paris?

Before he can stop her, however, Ingrid agrees to spearhead a major church project. Then their faithful dog, Butterscotch, needs emergency surgery, draining their savings. And then—because disasters strike in threes—an unexpected guest arrives, dredging up old hurts.

As a beautiful blanket of snow transforms the north woods into a winter wonderland, a deep chill settles over John and Ingrid’s marriage. With the holidays fast approaching, their only hope of keeping their love evergreen depends on turning the page on the past and embracing a new chapter of their future.

My Thoughts

Evergreen is everything that we have come to love and expect from Susan May Warren. She takes us to the cozy little town of Deep Haven in northern Minnesota. There we once again meet up with a group of characters that we've come to love like our own family. As we enter the story we find John and Ingrid embarking on a new chapter in their lives. They are beginning to navigate the road of empty nesters.

To say that John is thrilled with the prospect of some longed for alone time with Ingrid is an understatement. For years he's looked forward to this point in their life and has envisioned being able to pursue things that weren't possible with all the kids at home. Unfortunately Ingrid doesn't feel the same. In fact she feels rather lost and empty. Her life centered around her children but now that they have moved on to lives of their own she's left with a deep sense of grief. The impending holidays just magnify her emptiness.

When an unexpected opportunity to nurture a troubled teenager presents itself, Ingrid is thrilled and feels as if she has a purpose again. John on the other hand seems resentful. But there are underlying circumstances that begin to surface that shed light onto the growing distance between John and Ingrid. 

Evergreen is filled with flawed characters in need of God's grace. Through them we get to explore what it means to love and to be loved. We learn about giving unselfishly of ourselves to those who may not seem like they deserve it. Above all we are reminded that grace and forgiveness are the best gifts we can give to ourselves and others.

If you have a book lover on your Christmas gift list, pick this one up. It is the perfect holiday read. It is a novella so it can be consumed in one lovely evening in front of the fire. 

Connect With The Author

www.SusanMayWarren.com

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The Midwife by Jolina Petersheim ~ A Contemporary Fiction Review and Giveaway

The Midwife

Jolina Petersheim

Contemporary Fiction/Mennonite

Back of the book:

THE PAST - Graduate student Beth Winslow was sure she was ready to navigate the challenges of becoming a surrogate. But when early tests indicate possible abnormalities with the baby, Beth is unprepared for the parents' decision to end the pregnancy--and for the fierce love she feels for this unborn child. Desperate, she flees the city and seeks refuge at Hopen Haus, a home for the unwed mothers deep in a Tennessee Mennonite community.

THE PRESENT - As head midwife of Hopen Hous, Rhoda Mummau delivers babies with a confident though stoic ease. Except in rare moments, not even those who work alongside her would guess that each newborn cry, each starry-eyed glance from mother to child, nearly renders a fault through Rhoda's heart, reminding her of a past she has carefully concealed.

Past and present collide when a young woman named Amelia arrives in the sweeping countryside bearing secrets of her own. As Amelia's due date draws near, Rhoda must face her regrets and those she left begind in order for the healing power of love and forgiveness to set them all free.

READ THE FIRST CHAPTER

My thoughts:

I read and enjoyed the author's debut novel The Outcast and I expected to enjoy this book just as much. To say that I enjoyed The Midwife would be a gross understatement. The story just blew me away. If I did not already know that this was only her second novel, I would have never guessed.

I had presupposed that this would be an interesting story about a Mennonite midwife. It was . . . but that was only the tip of the iceberg. The story begins with Beth Winslow. She is a grad student working on her thesis entitled "Solomon's Choice: Finding an Ethical Solution for Remorseful Surrogates". Little did Beth know that she would be living out her thesis. Not only does she become a surrogate, but when the biological parents decide to terminate the pregnancy she's faced with the ethical decision of abortion. 

We next venture into the world of Rhoda Mummau. Many years ago Rhoda converted to the Mennonite lifestyle and eventually became the head midwife at Hopen Hous. Rhoda is a very competent midwife but she has a past that is secret to all but a few and that past has left wounds that go very deep. 

Before long these two seemingly separate lives begin to intertwine and become one. Old wounds are opened and secrets are exposed. There is absolutely no way Beth or Rhoda can come away unscathed. But the interesting thing is that God has a way of exchanging beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning.

I can pretty much guarantee that you will not come away from this novel without lingering thoughts about the situation. You will surely ponder on what you would do in the situations that were presented. Let me leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the book that just continues to resonate with me.

". . . love is not about holding on to someone, but about allowing someone to grow and change and loving them through this never-ending metamorphosis of life that--in the process--sometimes changes us too."

Connect with the author:

www.JolinaPetersheim.com

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter ~ @Jolina_Joy

Pinterest

The Giveaway:

Let’s be honest . . . a caffeine boost never hurts. For author Jolina Petersheim, it’s especially helpful to have her favorite drink on hand when she’s racing toward a manuscript deadline. In celebration of the release of her sophomore novel, The Midwife, Tyndale’s Crazy4Fiction team would love to enable your caffeine addiction and give you a taste of Jolina’s beautiful prose. For a chance at a $25 Starbucks gift card, an authentic Amish wall hanging, and your choice of Jolina’s novels (either The Outcast or The Midwife), enter through the Rafflecopter widget below.

To hear from Jolina on her go-to caffeine boost, stop by www.crazy4fiction.com.

What about you, readers? What drink of choice kick-starts your creativity and helps you keep moving?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just 18 Summers by Rene Gutteridge & Michelle Cox ~ A Contemporary Fiction Book Review

Just 18 Summers

Rene Gutteridge & Michelle Cox

Contemporary Fiction

Back of the book:

With just eighteen summers . . . don't forget to make some memories.

After the tragic death of Butch Browning's wife, Jenny, four families begin to realize how precious--and fleeting--their time together is. Each is at a different stage in life: Butch is facing single parenthood. The O'Reillys are expecting their first child. The Andersons are approaching an empty next, and the Buckleys are so focused on providing their children with everything that they've forgotten what they truly need. With just eighteen summers before their children are grown, how do they make the most of that time when life so often gets in the way?

As summer flies by, each of these parents must learn about guilt and grace . . . and when to hold on to their kids and when to let go.

READ THE FIRST CHAPTER

My thoughts:

No matter what stage of parenting you are at there is sure to be something in Just 18 Summers that will reach out and grab your heart. Rene Gutteridge has once again taken up her masterful pen and turned Michelle Cox's screenplay into a beautiful book.

In the first chapter we find out that Butch has recently lost his beloved wife Jenny in a tragic car crash. With that opening I was kind of expecting a sad story about what could have been. Trust me when I say it was anything but that. This story is full of hope. Yes it does delve into some of our deepest fears as parents, but it continually reminds you that it is never too late to change course and take advantage of what we have been blessed with.

One of the surprising things about the book was how funny it was. The scene with the dad taking his eight-year-old daughter to buy a dress had me rolling on the floor. The writers nailed it with all of the sales pitches that we are constantly bombarded with as women. Another priceless portion is the neurosis of being a first time pregnant mommy. Do you remember all of those crazy books you would read and think that you were never going to create a safe enough environment for your little one? Sheer insanity!

I absolutely cannot wait for the movie to come out. If it is even half as good as the book, it is going to be a smashing success. So until you can go see it on the big screen, treat yourself to a fabulous read about the eighteen summers that we are given.

Connect with the authors:

www.ReneGutteridge.com

Facebook

Twitter ~ @ReneGutteridge

www.MichelleCoxInspirations.com

www.Just18Summers.com

Facebook

Twitter ~ @michelleinspire

Pinterest

Little Book of Great Dates: 52 Creative Ideas to Make Your Marriage Fun by Dr. Greg & Erin Smalley

Little Book of Great Dates: 52 Creative Ideas to Make Your Marriage Fun

Dr. Greg & Erin Smalley

Family & Relationships/Marriage

About the book:

Thought dating was a thing of the past? Think again!

Not only can dating your spouse strengthen your marriage, rekindle your romance, and deepen your connection--but dating is also just plain fun!

That's why this LITTLE BOOK OF GREAT DATES offers you 52 creative, fun-filled ideas for spending time together talking, laughing, and connecting over shared activities. With imaginative suggestions for dates that are easy on the pocketbook, married and engaged couples will also value the conversation starters aimed at building emotional intimacy. Most of all, this little volume is a big promise to the one you love that more discoveries and an ever-deepening love are always on the horizon.

Read The First Chapter 

(This link will also let you take a look at the first three dates so you can see what the set-up is like.)

My thoughts:

Do you know the saying, "good things come in small packages"? That is a very apt description of this little book. It is the size of a 5 x 7 card and less than a half inch thick but it is packed full of wonderful ideas for you and your beloved. It has a beautiful navy blue leather cover and I think it would make the perfect gift for that favorite couple in your life . . . that is after you've purchased a copy for yourself!

In the Introduction the Smalleys discuss how dating seems to take a back seat after we are married. We take on new roles and have a kid or two and then before we know it our dating life is just a distant memory. One of the things I like about this book is that they don't diminish the fact that finding time to date your spouse is hard work. Something always comes up but it is important that we make time for what is important and our marriages are important!

There are fifty-two dates included in this book. That is enough for one date a week for a year! Another thing that I appreciate about this book is that these date ideas are practical and affordable. There aren't crazy detailed preparations that you have to make. After all who would even wind up going if you had to spend hours preparing?!! The cost of the dates is kept to a minimum and they even suggest ideas that would keep the amount next to nothing. 

I recommend this product to anyone that is looking for a way to enhance their marriage. I also think it would be a nice way to encourage that special couple you know. I'm personally going to get several copies for stocking stuffers for my married kids this Christmas. 

Connect with the authors:

www.smalleymarriage.com

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