Love Without End

For me, there has always been a flair for romance and the love of horses for as long as I can remember. Just looking at the cover of a novel that pairs a young woman and a man wearing a cowboy hat is enough to make me sigh! Couple that with a great premise of two people who have experienced loss in their marriages that make them both not sure if they are ready to get back in the saddle for romance or love anytime soon.

Robin Hatcher takes her readers back to a much loved setting she wrote about in A Promise Kept where she vowed to help Chet Leonard find a second chance at love again. She begins her latest series of novels with Love Without End. It's a timeless story of second chances and how much more full our lives are when we are given a second chance at happiness and love when we least expect it.

Chet Leonard has been trying to come to terms with why his wife left him and his three sons after the death of their oldest son, Rick. She simply up and left, subsequently divorcing him after leaving the ranch. Not sure it was because life with Chet would be forever a reminder of Rick, but it definitely left Chet believing that love had all but forgotten him and headed for the sunset instead. Now he was struggling with how to keep the ranch profitable after a lifetime of being in his family for generations. He would surely hate to lose it all now. Thankfully just having Anna moving back into the guesthouse after losing her husband would help give them hope again. Even though she wasn't family by blood, the Leonard's legacy was kept alive but the day Anna showed up on their land back in the early 1940's.

Kimberly Welch could hardly believe that life had taken the turn it had. A dead end is more likely where she found herself. Her husband death at 40 from a sudden and unexpected heart attack would have thrown anyone for a loop. But it was what he hadn't shared with her in their marriage that made trust an issue. Leaving them with more debt than they could manage, she lost first her husband, then her house and car and finally everything she owned except for her fifteen-year-old daughter Tara, and it looked like she was slowly losing her every day that went by. Thankfully her friend Janet, stepped in and offered them a place to stay so they wouldn't have to live on the street and along with that, a gift of a horse, for Tara to enable her to find her way back to life again. They only needed to convince Chet Leonard to help them break the horse in for Tara after being neglected by its previous owner. But is love without end or simply a detour in two broken lives and hearts? Only time will tell in this amazing novel!

I received Love Without End by Robin Lee Hatcher compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is such a remarkable story because it unites more than two hearts, but two families and two generations. Robin utilizes the combination of past and present lives of the Leonard family to convey the depth of the love of ranching but also for the love of family. You get a sense of betrayal for both Kimberly and Chet when they look at their past marriages and realize where the flaws resulted that cause both to fall apart so early on. The novel also conveys that often times God uses the difficulties and trials in our own lives to bring us to new beginnings and new hope. I loved this novel and read it immediately the day it arrived. Being a horse lover as a child, stories like this one fed my book lover's heart and gained a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. There is even a sneak peek at the next novel in the series Whenever You Come Around as well as a Reader's Discussion Guide at the conclusion of this novel.

For more information about Love Without End, Robin Lee Hatcher or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Love Without End by Robin Lee Hatcher

You can find Robin Lee Hatcher on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Love Without End, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.


Fire up the romance this holiday with Robin Lee Hatcher's latest offering in the King's Meadow Romance series, Love Without End. For two single parents with bruised hearts, it’ll take more than a little courage to get back on the horse when it comes to love.

Celebrate love rising from the ashes of tragedy with Robin by entering her Kindle Fire giveaway.

 One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Love Without End and the rest of the King's Meadow Romance series from Robin Lee Hatcher

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 14th. Winner will be announced December 15th on Robin's blog.

{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

Susie's Hope Giveaway and Review

We see it happening more and more and often times graphic images of abused animals find their way onto our Facebook feeds. We see the commercials with Sara McLauglin's song In the Arms of the Angel, tied to the humane society commercials. But what matters more is how we respond to those images. It's simply too easy to change the channels or bypass the images as if we never saw them. The ones of animals that have become the voiceless victims of horrible crimes.

Left for dead, these animals are beaten, trained as bait for fights, burned and disfigured with a pretty dark outlook for their future. Some can be rehabilitated, but sadly most are simply put down because the costs for their medical care is beyond what some counties and states can provide. Local volunteers often fund raise but there are far too many victims and not enough help.

In the DVD release of Susie's Hope from Stone's Throw Films, the topic of animal abuse and the laws surrounding the issue are the highlight. While this is Dove Family Approved for audiences of 12 and up, the images portrayed in the movie are graphic. This movie was based on the true story of one such case that prompted the law in North Carolina to be rewritten to give harsher sentences to people who commit crimes against animals.

The story is brought to life when Donna Lawrence, (Emmanuell Vaguer, 40 Days and 40 Nights), an animal lover at heart, befriends a neighbor's pit bull who is left alone outside to act as a guard dog chained to a tree. Often left at out night, the barking becomes a nuisance and concern to Donna and her neighbor and best friend Ramona Hodges, (Andrea Powell, Ender's Game, The Twilight: Breaking Dawn Saga: Part 2), who bring the dog food and water. Donna's husband Roy (Burgess Jenkins, Remember the Titans), is concerned for their unborn child that they have waited so long to have. He warns Donna and Ramona to stay away and let Animal Control handle the issue. But seeing the outcome before it happens, Donna is attacked by the pitbull and is left for dead.

In a twist of fate, Donna and Roy learn that the attack has left them with no ability to have future children. Dealing with the effects of the attack, Donna struggles with nightmares and fears of being attacked. She even questions what God's purpose was in her being allowed to survive if she can't have children. When she finds a badly abused puppy left for dead in a park, she finds an outlet not only for her own healing but that of the puppy she names Susie. This is definitely a heart warming story of hope and to bring attention to animal abuse and the laws surrounding the cases of animal cruelty.

I received Susie's Hope by Stone's Throw Films compliments of Fly By Promotions for my honest review. Except for the free copy of the DVD,  I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is a great movie to highlight the changes that need to be made to ensure that punishments against animal cruelty cases require more than a simple fine and probation, but now include jail time or more for repeat offenders. This gives a voice to those victims of animal abuse everywhere for those that cannot speak for themselves. I think Martin Luther King Jr summed it up best at the conclusion of the movie, "It may be true that the law cannot change the heart, but it can restrain the heartless." This one deserves all 5 out of 5 stars in this reviewer's opinion. This is a message about love, loss and redemption. A portion of the profits of this movie will go to the American Humane Association. Susie has been named the 2014 American Hero Dog.The DVD runs approximately 105 minutes.

Now the most amazing part, thanks to the generosity of Fly By Promotions, they are offering a giveaway copy of Susie's Hope DVD along with a Susie's Hope bracelet, to one lucky follower of Reviews From The Heart. Here are your guidelines:

1. Be a follower of my blog Reviews From The Heart. 

2. "Like" Susie's Hope on Facebook. 

3. Be a resident of the US or Canada. Please No P.O. Boxes.

4. Leave me a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this DVD. Don't forget to include your email along with it otherwise I have no way of contacting you if you are the winner of the giveaway. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

I will be emailing the winner of the giveaway when it ends on December 5th. So make sure to spread the word!!

For more information about Susie's Hope the DVD, or how you can help support non profit efforts of Susie's Hope, please click on the links below:

Susie's Hope 

You can find Susie's Hope on Facebook to get more information about the impact this movie and to see Susie, the real dog from the movie!

To purchase a copy of Susie's Hope on DVD, please click here.

Motherless

Some of the most memorable novels are the ones that don't follow the structure we would expect. It's like watching the movie, "The Sixth Sense," yes the one about a young boy who can see dead people who seeks the professional help of Bruce Willis, who promises to help him. It isn't until we get to the very end of the movie, when everything we have been led to believe comes completely unraveled as the real plot is revealed. It makes you realize not everything is as it seems. That is just what Erin Healy has managed to masterfully accomplish.

Now don't be misled by the questionable reviews out there. I honestly believe most didn't finish with the novel and see how it all is revealed by the end. I even, wondered to myself more than 100 pages in, how did I get so lost in this story. I wondered if I was the only one, was it worth digging in deeper to finish or should I throw my hands up in defeat and surrender. After all, all of the novels I have read from Erin Healy have been amazing. So I wondered just what is going on.

I don't want to give any of the details away, because those are so precious when you finally discover what is happening, I don't want to ruin it for you. What I will say is press on, because the prize is so worth it. This isn't like any other suspense novel I have ever read and the ending will completely turn you upside down. You will need to press on pass more than 100 pages in the beginning and give yourself a break from what you are trying to figure out. Don't!!! Simply take your time and read it as it is happening. Don't try to figure out anything, just take it as it comes. It will be so worth your time and I honestly believe you will LOVE it as much as I did. I did put it down for a few days while trying to figure out what I was going to do about finishing it. As an honest reviewer, I feel I am committed to providing an honest review of any novel I am asked to review, whether it is positive or negative.

To give you a brief overview of the novel without giving anything away, I will refer to the synopsis that Erin provides on her cover. "A whispering voice at the back of my mind reminds me that I've been this way for some time. Dead. That is."

"The dead have a very broad view of the living, of actions performed out of sight, of thoughts believed to be private. I would know. Losing both parents is a trial no child should endure, and Marina and Dylan have endured enough. They deserve the one thing I could never give them: a mother's love."

"A mother's love, and the truth."

"My children have believed a lie about me for years and years. After all this time, I can still feel their hurt in my heart. But the tether holding me to them is frayed from years of neglect... and I have to find a way to make my confession before it snaps."

"But when the truth comes out, what other beasts will I unleash?"

"Why do we lie to the children?" someone asked me once.

"To protect them," I answered.

"How terrible it is that they need protection from me."

I received Motherless by Erin Healy compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers and Shelton Interactive for my honest review. Besides receiving a free copy of the novel, I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. This is such a great novel because it completely deviates from your standard novel. It doesn't follow scripted patterns you can easily figure out, it has you all over the place because as readers, we honestly are trying to figure it out before it ends. Erin, keeps your guessing. Everything I thought was tossed over the ocean cliff by the time I got to the final chapters. Don't even read the discussion guide questions for clues because you will ruin it for yourself. Keep pressing on despite how difficult the beginning may be. Even I struggled, but I persevered and for once it was SOOO worth it! Erin Healy is by far becoming one of my favorite authors because she doesn't write the novels you are expected, she gives you the unexpected and for me that was so refreshing. Hands down a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Motherless, Erin Healy or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Motherless by Erin Healy 

You can find Erin Healy on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Motherless, please visit Thomas Nelson Publishers. 

Rumors of Wars

"In the end, we all worship something."

Imagine a world where the technology will revolutionize the way we buy and sell and even maintain our health and fitness. As technology advances, RFID chips will be the wave of the future. Fear of identity theft now removed; maintaining your health information without the hassle of doctors keeping paper records will be a thing of the past. Taking food stamps, welfare and government benefits and incorporating them into a small embedded chip is now here. You can even get discounts instantly on the places you shop the most without the inconvenience of carrying paper coupons or even leaving them at home. Maintain your stress levels and BMI's effortlessly and even counting calories now a thing of the past. Get yours today at a local Zurn center today!

Sound like something from a science fiction movie or merely a chilling look at what might be our future staring right at us. Think of the ability to prevent terrorist attacks because we can instantly locate anyone who has received the RFID chip and even track who is purchasing items that might be used in a terrorist threat. No more missing persons, because they can instantly be located like a Find Phone app!

In the DVD release of Rumors of Wars, Word Films takes a chilling look at the future where the government is in the process of rounding up citizens who haven't received the RFID chip to ensure the end of the terrorist attacks that are happening all over the US. Religious zealots are to blame for their division against the government control. The National Defense Authorization Act has been approved and now allows the Alliance, a military police force, to ensure that all comply or be killed. Martial law is unleashed to help find the religious rebels and their leaders to bring their war to an end.

But is it all one big cover up to some sick plan to control the population? The housing and financial economic collapse along with terrorist plots part of something bigger going on to do whatever it takes to plant fear into the minds of the American people? Society's end is just the beginning. Just another conspiracy theory? You decide!

I received Rumors of Wars compliments of Word Films and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. Except for the free copy of the DVD,  I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is such a great movie that takes Bible Prophecy and showcases a possible "what if" scenario. Starring Eric Roberts (Heroes) and Ben Davies (Courageous) this movie takes a look at the possible way the Mark of the Beast of Revelation might be played out in the present day. It truly shows you how simple technology would make the implementation of such a system possible. The movie runs 89 minutes and is Dove Family Approved. There are some great special features like interviews, an indepth look at the diary Roxy carries, character profiles and much much more. I easily rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Rumors of Wars, Word Films or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

Rumors of Wars by Word Films

You can find Word Films on Facebook to stay up to date with all their latest movies.

You can find out more interesting fun facts on Facebook with Rumors of Wars!

Jesus Boat: Witness to Prophecy

2000 years ago much of what was Ancient Israel was destroyed and with it the hopes of the history of the Jewish people and their culture. It is also surprising that with each day, discoveries are being made that not only validate Ancient Israel but fulfill Bible Prophecy and Jesus' Words to the most minute detail. Following some of the great theologians of our day including Franklin Graham, Joel Rosenberg, Jay Sekulow, Skip Heitzig, and Chuck Smith along with some notated archaeologists as they share with you the most recent discovery ever made in the Sea of Gailee.

In the DVD documentary Jesus Boat: Witness to Prophecy by Edify Films, we get a look at not only the history of the destruction of Ancient Israel, the Jewish Temple to the fall of Ancient Rome, but also a divine unveiling of what could quite possibly be one of the fishing boats that the disciples used or even the very same one as Jesus used. The Sea of Gailee is quite small by comparisons of most seas you would think of, measuring just 12 miles long by 7 miles while. Jesus' ministry all took place in a 12-mile radius. His disciples according to the Bible were fisherman.

Scripture references of Isaiah 9:1-2, in which "he will honor Gailee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan - the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in a land of deep darkness, a light has dawned." This brings a discovery of a boat found beneath the mud in the Sea of Gailee by two fisherman brothers, the Lufans, after a 4 year long drought in Israel. What they found there besides the 2000 year old fishing boat, were Jewish and Roman coins along with a Widow's mite which is what Jesus said the widow placed in the offering that was greater than all the other money given by the people. It was the equivalent of bread and lodging for a day.

Just as the archaeologist's laid their hands on the boat, it began to rain, after so many years of drought in Israel. While the men were praying, the rain suddenly stopped and a double rainbow appeared. The boat would turn out to be 27 feet long and 7 1/2 feet wide, handcrafted by 12 different types of wood. There are more surprising divine signs as you watch this documentary that showcases not only how relevant this is to Israel's history but to further document the Bible in its authenticity.

I received Jesus Boat: Witness to Prophecy compliments of Edify Films and Edify Media Group for my honest opinion. Aside from a free copy of the DVD, I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my personal opinion. I love that the Bible is being authenticated with new discoveries happening all the time. It validates what I have believed that the Bible is 100% accurate. This is a great documentary that showcases Israel's history from the destruction of Jerusalem as predicted by Jesus, to the discovery of a plaque in a Rome coliseum that validates the Temple to what these discoveries mean from authenticating Bible prophecy. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Jesus Boat: Witness to Prophecy, Edify Films or where you can pick up a copy of the DVD today, please click on the links below:

Jesus Boat: Witness to Prophecy

You can find out more about Edify Films by visiting their website. 

When Calls the Heart: Rules of Engagement

Webster's dictionary defines the meaning of the word engage: as a verb, to mean occupying the attention or interests of a person or persons; to secure for aid, employment, use, hire, etc.; to attract and hold fast; to bind as by pledge, contract, oath or promise; to betroth; and to bring (troops) into conflict; enter into conflict with.

In the DVD When Calls the Heart: Rules of Engagement from the Hallmark Channel and Word Films, all of these definitions apply to the characters we find in Coal Valley as Season 1 comes to a close with the final two episodes of the show. Does true happiness exist for anyone in Coal Valley? That is the question, Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow) pens in her journal of this DVD. As the town's school teacher of Coal Valley, we find her wondering what the outcome will be for the relationship between her and constable Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing). Jack is crowned the town's hero for the apprehension of the Toliver gang. Just as Jack returns from Cape Fulton, an unexpected surprises awaits him from the stage. A woman claiming to be Jack's fiancè, Rose Mary LeVeaux, a theater actress from New York. After 2 years of being away from Jack, she realizes she can't live without him and comes looking for him. But love is persistent in her eyes and no matter what Jack tells her, she believes until he conveys his feelings for Elizabeth, hope still awaits in the wings for her.

Inspector Bill Avery (Jack Wagner) arrives from Capital City to investigate the Pacific Northwest Mining accident that claimed the lives of 46 miners six months ago. He is hoping to build a case against the mining company for neglect thanks to the details Abigail Stanton (Lori Loughlin) has provide to Jack. But Mr. Gowen, owner of the mine reminds Abigail that unless she drops the investigation and claims against the mine she might not like what his lawyers will be forced to reveal, one that just might point the fingers at her instead of at the mining company. But Abigail and Mr. Avery will not take to threats from Mr. Gowen or his employees.

Tensions mount as the circuit judge Jedidiah Black (James Brolin) arrives to oversee the case that could spell disaster either way you look at it for the town of Coal Valley. If the mine is responsible, it would mean the mine would close and the men would be out of work and unable to support their families. If Abigail is found responsible, it might mean the end to her cafe in Coal Valley and in the eyes of her friends whose husbands deaths would be on her hands. Will Jack Thornton find a way to reveal his feelings to Elizabeth just as she receives a lucrative offer as the first woman teacher in Briarcliff Teaching Academy back on the East Coast, a true dream job for her? Viewers will just have to wait until Season 2 begins, but until then we can relive all the greatest moments in this DVD series!

I received When Calls the Heart: Rules of Engagement compliments of Word Films, Hallmark Channel and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free DVD for my honest review and the opinions expressed here are my own. This DVD is the 6th and final one in Season 1 and includes the TV Series episodes number 11: Rules of Engagement and number twelve: Final Adieu on this one. This is such an exceptional series that families of all ages will come to love as much as The Little House on The Prairie. Micheal Landon Jr. brought author Janette Oke's novels to life and this one for me easily gets a full 5 out of 5 star rating!!!

For more information on When Calls the Heart: Rules of Engagement, Word Films, or The Hallmark Channel Series, or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

When Calls The Heart: Rules of Engagement

You can find Word Films on Facebook to stay up to date with all their family entertainment.

You can find When Calls the Heart on Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest information on the series.

To learn more about the series on the Hallmark Channel, please click here. 

Emissary

Book Review for the book titled Emissary by Thomas Locke

Written in a possible mid century type of style where wizards, mages, magic, mystery and a clouded past are just a part of the true underlying story of Hyam. Born and raised by a mother who did not birth him and a father who did not raise him casts shadows of uncertainty and an unresolved past of who Hyam really is. He has powers and can speak forbidden tongues of Milantian, Ashanti, and Elven even from an early age. It was told that anyone speaking or to be of Milantian blood would be killed on the spot. Hyam tries to understand who he is, where he is from and his uncertain future that bids of doom and prophecy.

Reading through the book from the first several chapters sent me in search of Ore as I turned each page. The character development was very well written and with each chapter I could see the characters forming in my imagination! Some of the writing could be better written with explaining how Hyam got from one town to another as in the beginning. It skips a bit without much detail on how the main character gets from one place to another.

Hyam, Joelle, Bryna as well as a flock of other interesting characters fill the pages with a deep sense of sorrow, wanting, and a lust to be free. The main characters could each have a separate book written about them and their races that would be just as fascinating as this book was. I will leave that to the author...

I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and would recommend anyone who loves mythical, magical science fiction and fantasy! I received Emissary by Thomas Locke compliments of Revell Publishers and Edify Media Group for my honest review. I received this book for free with no monetary exchange either written or expressed for my sole review. Thomas Locke is the pseudonym for Davis Bunn as he launches into a new genre of novels for readers. Davis Bunn has long been a favorite author of mine and this was did not disappoint. Definitely one I would recommend to fans of novels like The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Chronicles of Narnia. This is the first novel in the Legends of the Realms Series due out in January of 2015, with a teaser prequel The Captive out now! I can't wait for the sequel and once again this author has found a true treasure in this book lover's heart!

For more information about Emissary, Thomas Locke or where you can preorder a copy of Emissary today, please click on the links below:

Emissary by Thomas Locke

You can find Thomas Locke on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews, please visit Revell Publisher's website.