A Grand Design

I've been a huge fan of the Quilts of Love Series, not just because each novel is based around the story of a quilt, but because you get a chance to meet new authors who are taking up the challenge to add to this amazing growing collection. In A Grand Design, Amber Stockton, takes her turn in the 20th book to join the Quilts of Love Series. The best part about this series is that each novel can be read as a stand alone and not in any order which makes this truly a one of a kind collection and series.

In this one, the storyline involves Alyssa Denham who wins a two week trip for two to the romantic Mackinac Island. Alyssa is more than familiar with the Island, since her grandmother lives in a small cottage on the island, but she hasn't gone to visit her for fifteen years because of something that has kept her away and one that has remained a hidden part of her past. Yet it seems like God has the perfect plan to reunite her with more than just her grandmother. So with no romantic partner in her life at the present time, Alyssa invites her best friend, Libby to join her instead. Nothing could be more fun, than two glorious sun-filled weeks staying at the Grand Hotel, made famous in the movie Somewhere in Time and one she has been drawn to. Libby has vowed that Alyssa will find that special summer romance and the island offers just that opportunity to make that happen.

When Alyssa meets with her grandmother, she is given a task to gather quilt blocks from the friends her grandmother made when they established a quilting bee so many years ago on the island. Now in order to create her own memory quilt, she needs Alyssa and Libby to go around and bring the quilt blocks back to her so she can put them together in a beautiful quilt. Knowing there is no cars on the island, Alyssa's grandmother arranges for a carriage to take them to her friends homes all over the island, and it is owned by Scott Whitman, a young man who is more than enamored with Alyssa. Will this be the makings of something beautiful or will it only be a moment in time for them?

I received A Grand Design by Amber Stockton compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Abingdon Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. I've seen the romantic movie Somewhere in Time with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve many years ago and have always been a fan of romance. Placing the setting of this novel right where it was filmed was a definite winner for me. From the beautiful descriptions of the hotel and grounds provides the readers with just the imagination to stir the longings of their romantic heart. It conveys that even though we carry around emotional baggage from things in our lives that have hurt us, we don't have to continue to carry them. We can learn to let go and move forward into the new life that God has been planning for us all along. I think Amber Stockton did just that in showing how that can affect our ability to move forward in the future God has planned for us if we are willing to take that leap of faith. I rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and literally inhaled this in a couple of hours. It was that good. There is even a Reader's Discussion Guide included at the conclusion of this novel as well as a sneak peek at Robin Caroll's novel Hidden in the Stars, another addition of the Quilts of Love Series.

For more information about A Grand Design, Amber Stockton or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Grand Design by Amber Stockton

You can also find Amber Stockton on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Grand Design, please visit Litfuse Publicity's book tour page.


Don’t miss this month’s Quilts of Love book, A Grand Design by Amber Stockton. Who hasn't struggled to let painful memories go and move into God's healing? You’ll be sure to love this heartfelt and encouraging tale set on historic Mackinac Island.

Celebrate August’s release by entering to win a Kindle from Quilts of Love and RSVPing for the "Fall into Fall" Facebook author chat party.

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle HDX
• A Grand Design by Amber Stockton
• Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 16th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog. Plus make sure you RSVP to the October 7th author chat party with Amber Stockton and Robin Caroll for an evening of book chat, quilting tips and tricks, prizes, and more!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on October 7th!

Home to Chicory Lane

Even though I've never stayed at a Bed and Breakfast, it has always been something I could dream doing if I simply had a home big enough and support from my husband to give it a go. For best selling author Deborah Raney, she uses this as the setting for her latest series, A Chicory Inn. In the first novel, Home to Chicory Lane, we get a sense for how and why it all started for Audrey and Grant Whitman, who have a sprawling 5500-square foot home on the lushly wooded acres in Langhorne, Missouri. Now that all their children have grown up and begun their own life, it seems silly to have this big old house all to themselves. So rather than sell it off, they decide to forgo the empty nest, and fix it up as a Bed and Breakfast so that they can continue to tradition of taking care of people looking for peace and relaxation while Grant begins retirement to help Audrey in fulfilling her dream.

Like all good dreams, Audrey wonders if she can really pull it off. How to get out the word and keep this dream afloat enough to make a living out of it without depleting their savings. However like all great families when you all pull together you can make it work. Yet the one thing they hadn't bet on was their youngest daughter, Landyn arrives home with a U-Haul attached. After only being married for six short months, Landyn is ready to throw in the towel but first she will need to find a way to tell her parents and odds are they aren't likely to be pleased with her reasons and more than likely neither will Chase, once he finds out what she is hiding.

Audrey and Grant wonder if they're opening weekend will be a boom or a bust, but with Grant's blood pressure being more than a challenge, he feels this is just what the doctor recommended when he diagnosed a reduction in his stress levels at work. Retiring and helping his wife manage the Inn sounds like a dream in comparison to the rigorous hours at a high pressure job. But how will they be able to help Landyn if all their rooms are booked solid. Where does one send your child when they need help but they can't exactly move back into their childhood home again?

I received Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney compliments of Abingdon Press 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 beautiful story about how Grant and Audrey are attempting to solve the dilemmas left when you enter the empty nest chapter of your life and how their experience at whether challenging times in their own marriage will be the foundation that Landyn and Chase will launch their own resolution from. They aren't the pushy parents but want the newly wed couple to be able to see the wisdom that age often brings during challenging times in their own marriage. It's not an easy fix, but in the end it shows how helping our spouse achieve their dreams can be challenging and worth while in the end. Deborah embodies the struggles on both an older and younger married couple so there is truly something the reader can relate to. I easily give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the next novel in the series, Two Roads Home which we are given a sneak peek at the conclusion of this one. A readers discussion guide is also included.

For more information about Home to Chicory Lane, Deborah Raney or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney

You can also find Deborah Raney on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Home to Chicory Lane, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour page. 


The first book in Deborah Raney's new Chicory Inn series, Home to Chicory Lane, introduces us to Audrey Whitman, a mother who has launched all her children into life and now looks forward to fulfilling some of her own dreams during her empty-nest years. However, not all of her children are ready to stay out of the nest quite yet.

Deborah is celebrating the release of her new series with a $200 B&B Weekend Getaway and a Facebook author chat party.

 
  One winner will receive:

• A B&B Weekend Getaway (via a $200 Visa cash card)
• Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 9th. Winner will be announced at the Home to Chicory Lane Author Chat Party on 9/9. Deborah will be hosting a heartfelt book chat, giving away prizes, and answering questions from readers. She will also share an exclusive sneak peek at the next book in the Chicory Inn series!

So grab your copy of Home to Chicory Lane and join Deborah on the evening of September 9th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 9th!

Holy Ghost DVD Review and Giveaway

If you've read the Bible, more specifically the book of Acts, you may remember when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles while they were in the Upper Room. It was so powerful that they began to speak in tongues, perform miracles and we're endowed with the supernatural spirit of God. But some would argue that that time was needed in order to complete the Bible since Jesus had ascended to Heaven and once it was complete, the need for the Holy Spirit was no longer needed. Thus no more miracles, divine spiritual prophecies, and all that was needed was simply the Word of God.

But the film makers of Holy Ghost have challenged you to open your minds to the possibility that the Holy Spirit is much, much more and is still at work today, performing miracles, changing impossible lives and moving His Spirit where He leads to bring the message of hope and love to a hurting world. Armed with nothing more than faith and a small camera crew, they went where they felt the Spirit of God telling them to. You get the chance to see first hand how God is moving in ways you can't explain. From filming inside a Hindu Temple, which should have gotten them all killed, to walking the streets proclaiming God's love to a desperate world. From praying with people outside a Korn concert with lead guitarist Brian "Head" Welch, to having an intimate conversation with Lenny Kravitz, Michael W. Smith, and DeVon Franklin.

The one thing that stuck with me the most during this DVD was not that more "Christian artists" were needed in the world, but more "artists" that are grounded in their Christian faith to go into the dark places of the world and shine God's love into the hearts and souls of people who would never go to a church to find it. This is what I believe Jesus challenged us all in the Great Commission was to go into places and find lost souls and rescue them, show them the love of God, and heal their lives. Jesus didn't come to save those who were well but to those that were sick, lost and dying, and so we must be challenged as well.

I received Holy Ghost compliments of Wanderlust Productions and Flyby Promotions for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. You can not help but to be moved by this movie and for the love the film makers utilized like Todd White, Will Hart and Jamie Galloway who truly take the message to the streets where people need to hear it. I caution parents that this may be suitable for children over the age of 12 simply because there are parts of the movie, one at a rock concert in which certain types of hand gestures are used that may not be appropriate. Overall the movie is powerful and I believe it lights the fire that may lie dormant in some of us. A great movie to use in Bible Studies or college small group studies. I would rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

You can even get an exclusive world premiere opportunity to view this movie on September 6th only, by clicking here to view the movie. 

Thanks to the generosity of Wanderlust Productions and FlyBy Promotions, they are offering a giveaway copy of this DVD to one lucky winner of my blog Reviews From The Heart. Here is what you need to do:

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

2. Be a resident of the US or Canada or have a US or Canadian mailing address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

3. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of Holy Ghost and how you plan to use it. Don't forget to include your email address too, so I can notify you if you're the lucky winner of the giveaway. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols too!

I will be notifying the winner of the giveaway once it ends on September 5th via email. You will need to respond within 72 hours or another winner will be selected.

For more information about Holy Ghost, Wanderlust Productions or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

Wanderlust Productions presents Holy Ghost

You can find Wanderlust Productions on Facebook to stay up to date on all their latest movies.

You can also visit the Holy Ghost Movie's website for more information. 

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

The Hidden Ones

When I was first approached by Nancy Madore to consider reviewing her Legacy of the Watchers Series, like most of the times, I was apprehensive about the content of the novels, blending what she considers historical, science fiction and speculative fiction into each novel. I would revise that genre blend and reclassify them as historical, science fiction and fantasy. While she does utilize the creation of the Nephilim from the Bible, the rest of the content dealing with their race and subsequent creation does not stem from anything found in the Bible.

The Nephilim are mentioned in the book of Genesis as a race of being created from the fallen angels who bred with the daughters of man and created a sub race known simply as the Nephilim. Nancy utilizes this race of people who she refers to as the Watchers, those creatures who were born not from angels but from demons. Therefore their intent is simply to watch over the earth as it has been entrusted to them. Lilith was the only known female Nephilim to have survived while all the other females died at birth. The novel The Hidden Ones parallels the lives of three women, Helene, Nadia Adeire, Helene's granddaughter, and Lilith.

This is where explaining what the novel is about can be a bit confusing just like reading it can confuse you. The novel begins with the abduction of Nadia Adeire by three masked men who believe that she is possessed by the spirit of Lilith, the former Nephilim who reigned during the creation of Mesopotamia and the rest of the Nephilim race. The men who have kidnapped Nadia believe that she is part of a huge terrorist plot of the djinn, or evil demonic spirits, who want to gain control of the earth again and eliminate the human race, known as the sons of man.

The spirit of Lilith was conjured by a series of incantations by Helene's father and a group of archaelogists using a scroll identified at the Book of the Dead that controls the resurrection of the Nephilim's soul. The one that creates a ring with certain symbols along with metal shavings can harness control of the spirit and order it to do their bidding. They didn't expect this to work and are more than shocked when it does and soon realize they have bitten off more than they can chew and send her back into the nether world until they can figure things out.

Nadia doesn't understand what is going on and has merely been told stories by her grandmother Helene as well as her mother Giselle so well that she can remember all the details. It is those details that these kidnappers hope to use to figure out where the spirit of Lilith may be hiding along with those other Nephilim from the past that are about to unleash a plague of biblical proportions to wipe out the human race and they believe that Nadia's stories may hold more clues than she believes.

The novel toggles back and forth from the creation of the Nephilim, to Helene's part in conjuring the spirit, to the modern day dilemma with Nadia. While each chapter is highlighted with the time period, for instance Ancient Mesopotamia, 1948 or Present Day, you can maintain a level of where you are at, but by about 3/4 of the way through, you are almost completely confused by all the characters, times, and subplots going on within this novel. It might have worked better to keep the storyline a bit more simplified rather than attempt to throw it all together in the first novel. The writing style in engaging and deals with so many legends and myths from the Greek and Roman gods, to parallels to biblical stories like Noah and the flood and the walls of Jericho. That being said, from a Christian perspective, this is not a novel for believers. It deals with demons, and witchcraft with harnessing the spirit of the Nephilim by their human counterpart as well as possession of the body.

If you keep it in those context as a science fiction and fantasy novel with a bit of historical fact, then you have an interesting novel. I can honestly say by the end, I was not looking forward to reviewing the next novels in the series, based on my personal beliefs and now knowing what the series is about. In my opinion, I would rate the novel a 3 out of 5 stars. It does contain some adult content, profanity and strong subject matter pertaining demons and possession that might not be suitable to all readers so I would recommend a mature audience only. I received The Hidden Ones from Nancy Madore compliments of the author's request for a honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable one. For more information about The Hidden Ones, Nancy Madore or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Hidden Ones by Nancy Madore

You can also find Nancy Madore on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

The Identical: Original Music from the Motion Picture Review and Giveaway

I still remember the day I heard on the radio that Elvis Presley had died and how profound that affected me as a child. It makes you wonder how he would have impacted the world had he lived. In the latest movie, The Identical, which debuts on September 5th,  tells the story of twin brothers unknowingly separated at birth during the Great Depression. Drexel Hemsley becomes an iconic 50’s rock’n’ roll star, while Ryan Wade (Blake Rayne) struggles to balance his love for music and pleasing his father.

The Reverend Wade (Ray Liotta) and his wife (Ashley Judd) are sure their adopted son has been gifted and called by God to be a preacher. But Ryan challenges his parent’s vision for his life, and unflinchingly chooses to launch his own music career with his best friend (Seth Green). Encouraged by his wife (Erin Cottrell) and employer (Joe Pantoliano), Ryan embarks on an unpredictable, provocative path - performing the legendary music of Drexel Hemsley in sold out venues all across the country.As the brothers destinies tragically collide, Ryan discovers that Drexel is his identical twin which leads him to question everything he’s ever believed about God, family, and his own identity.

THE IDENTICAL ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK SAMPLER features 12 of the 20 original songs by Jerry Marcellino and Yochanan Marcellino from the film. Including“Your Love’s Keepin’ Me Tonight," “City Lights,”;“Angel of Mine,”;“Everybody Knows It” and;“Nashville Tonight." In fact for me, my favorites are, "Your Love's Keepin Me Tonight, and One Child. This is something fun to listen to that offers truly a little bit of everything from rock and roll, to blues, to bluegrass and strings on this soundtrack. I received The Identical Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Sampler compliments of Flyby Promotions and Identical Production Company for my honest review and I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. For Elvis Presley fans, you will definitely want to pick this one up. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

Thanks to the generosity of FlyBy Promotions in conjunction with Identical Production Company have provided an opportunity to win a signed copy of the Identical Soundtrack Sampler. Here's all you need to do to enter:

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

2. "Like" the Identical Facebook page and leave a comment.

3. Be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

4. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of The Identical Soundtrack Sampler along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols. But if you don't include it, I have no way of contacting you if you are the lucky winner.

I will email the winner on September 2nd, when the giveaway ends. You will need to respond within 72 hours or another winner will be selected.

For more information about The Identical, The Identical Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Sampler or how you can get group ticket opportunity for you and a bunch of your friends to see this movie, please click on the links below:

THE IDENTICAL ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK SAMPLER

You can find The Identical on Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest information about the movie and more.

To get an amazing opportunity for you and a bunch of your friends to see the Identical, please click here for a group ticket opportunity.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Miracle in a Dry Season

Sometimes miracles are right in front of our faces we fail to see them as what they truly are. Such is the case in Sarah Loudin Thomas' novel, Miracle in a Dry Season. Set in the mid 1950's in Wise, West Virginia, the small town believes that it will rain soon like it does every other year. Even though there isn't any clouds on the horizon and the temperatures remain hotter than usual, Casewell Phillips, a cattle farmer's son, wonders if this year might be different than all the others from the past.

His father, John was what you might call a man's man. Strong, determined and not afraid to speak his mind. His plans include getting his cattle to birthing a few calves and then when spring comes, sell of the more sturdy of the herd and keep a handful to repopulate his existing herd. Even though he isn't afraid to speak his mind, he believes that he needs to tell his son, how he feels. Yet Casewell would love to hear from his father's lips that just once he was proud of him and that he loved him, but that isn't about to happen anytime soon.

Casewell helps his father when he can, but his real love is found in creating furniture from the wood he has and it has been enough to support himself. He keeps busy with the orders from the Talbot sisters, Elizabeth and Evangeline. The small town of Wise has the small town appeal and flavor and establishes its spiritual roots with Pastor Longbourne, whose fire and brimstone sermons put more people asleep than rouse them to action. When Perla Long and her daughter Sadie come to visit, both are attracted to Casewell, but keep their distance. Perla has been running from her past, and hopes that this town might just accept her and the decision to keep Sadie despite not being married.

When the drought in town grows more severe than anyone imagined, the Pastor warns the town that someone in town needs to repent before God will open the skies with much needed rain. He knows exactly who he is referring to when he makes that announcement and Perla realizes once again that this town is more than ready to condemn her like all the others even though God has bestowed upon her a gift of multiplying anything she prepares to feed any number of people, much like Jesus did when He fed the 5000. But Pastor Longbourne warns the town that they are being bewitched by Perla's witchcraft and anyone who eats what she has prepared is feasting on the devil's works and not blessings from God. What will happen when the drought continues? Will anyone survive or will they see that Perla's gift is a miracle in a dry seaon?

I received Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. I think the author conveys a powerful message, one of judging books by their covers, and one of the redemptive power found in forgiveness despite what we may feel. There is a mindset of double standards running in the minds of most of the town's residents and show how condemnation can drive wedges into the hearts and minds of people who see someone as different then themselves. I love how redemption is found by the close of the novel and that restoration is only as far as we the limits we set upon our own hearts. I rate this novel a 4 out of 5 stars and is the first novel in the Appalachian Blessings series and is Sarah's debut novel. I can't wait to see if more of the characters we find in this novel will be showcased in the remainder of her series. One can only hope!

For more information about Miracle in a Dry Season, Sarah Loudin Thomas or where you can purchase a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas

You can also find Sarah Loudin Thomas on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Miracle in a Dry Season, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's book tour page.

When Calls the Heart - Second Chances

Just on the cusp of the first season coming to a close, When Calls The Heart, a series from the Hallmark Channel and adapted from the best-selling series from Janette Oke, finds a calling in the hearts of television viewers. Now this amazing series is available on DVD, and Second Chances, finds Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow) at her wits end after finding out that the man she was falling for, Billy Hamilton was only out for Elizabeth's family fortune. When Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing), lets it slide that Elizabeth has no money, Billy decides Coal Valley isn't for him after all. Now Elizabeth begins to doubt her own emotions and once again is indebted to Jack. Jack struggles to find a way to convey the true feelings he has for Elizabeth and offers to take her to dinner, but with a lack of somewhere to take her in town, besides the saloon. Jack opts to help Elizabeth out with one of her students so they can spend time together.

Elizabeth is excited when a shipment of books arrives to aid one of her students Bo Grady that is struggling to read. She feels that if she can get him excited about reading it might provide a light to a future outside of mining.  It seems that the more Jack tries to convey his feelings for Elizabeth, the more he puts his foot in his mouth. Once again the two find themselves at odds. Elizabeth finds solace in talking things over with her friend, Abigail Stanton who dreams of opening a restaurant in Coal Valley. But first she has to get permission from Mr. Gowen, who owns everything in Coal Valley, including the mining company. Even though the store has sat vacant, she seems determined that she can make it work and its something the town of Coal Valley can use. But Mr. Gowen seems determined to prove to Abigail that a woman can't succeed at anything without his help. The only way he'll provide the cafe to Abigail is if she is willing to leave the row house she's lived in since her husband and son died.

Adam Miller is about to make his homecoming after corresponding with his family while recovering from the mining accident. What he failed to tell them was he has lost his legs, even though his family is more than thrilled to have him home, he sees himself as less than a man, and one that won't be able to provide for his family.  He realizes that even though he is finally home, it may not be the best place for his family. Now if they can only convince him that it isn't about his leg that makes him a husband and father. Things are about to get interesting when Elizabeth is put in charge of the annual production of the Coal Valley Founder's Day parade with no time to prepare and everyone has the highest expectations that it simply be the best. But will it?

I received When Calls the Heart: Second Chances compliments of Word Films, the Hallmark Channel and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. Not since Little House on the Prairie has their been a series this good and I am thrilled that I am able to share this with my entire family. It is produced from Michael Landon Jr who is following in his father's footsteps with producing family friendly shows. I love that we can all sit and enjoy something that is wholesome, without any questionable content, and suitable for all ages. There is so many great things about each episode and in this one it is all about second chances for each of the characters, from Jack and Elizabeth attempting to work on building their relationship, showing Bo Grady there is more to life than mining, and even for Abigail who has the opportunity to begin rebuilding her life after losing her husband and son. Hands down for me, one of my favorite series brought to television, and I can't wait for season two to begin soon. This DVD rates a 5 out of 5 stars and is part of the When Calls The Heart series. You will want to pick them all up and watch it from the beginning. This DVD is 85 minutes long. This is the fourth in the series to date.

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

When Calls the Heart: Second Chances from Word Films and Hallmark Channel

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

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

A Long Way Off

Looking for a modern day retelling of the prodigal son? Then you just might want to take a look at Word Films newest DVD, A Long Way Off. It begins with the Abraham family who is in the farming business that employs two sons, Seth (DAVE BLAMY/Army Wives), the eldest and Jake (JASON BURKEY/October Baby), the youngest. Seth understands that hard work is required in order to make a family farm successful even in tough economic times. He is the one that has stayed behind to help his father out, while Jake left to seek a higher education in college. Even though Jake returns, his heart isn't interested in farming any longer. He believes he is wasting his college talent trying to update the farming business.

His lack of responsibility is apparent to everyone, when Jake shows up late and updates the invoicing system against his fathers wishes, costing them more than just a loss of business. No matter how hard Jake tries, he wants out and if his father won't support him, he will quit and find another way. But like the father in the biblical sense, Mr. Abraham (JOHN DIEHL/Stargate) gives Jake his inheritance to find a life that suits him better. Armed with more money than he knows what to do with, Jake leaves his family behind in attempts to prove them all wrong and become a successful businessman and financial consultant. But the world is a big place filled with people who are just as selfish as Jake and will stop at nothing to ensure that they make as much money off of Jake as they can when they see his financial investments are paying off. But life isn't about to turn out like Jake wanted and soon he will bite off more than he can chew.

I received A Long Way Off compliments of Word Films and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. While this DVD is Dove Foundation Approved, I would caution parents that this might not be suitable for the entire family. There are parts of the movie where Jake encounters Laura, an up and coming actress who wants Jake to invest in her upcoming movie and promises him "anything" for his financing. There is considerable drinking, hard partying, and the impression that Jake's relationship with Laura questionable who seduces him to get what she wants. Parental guidance is suggested, although it does portray a modern day retelling of the prodigal son who rises to the top only to lose it all in the end. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and the lesson you take away from this one is timeless and that a family's love is always unconditional.

About Word Entertainment:

A leader in the music industry for over 60 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking, and online initiatives. Word Entertainment represents some of the top names and brands in music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, Point Of Grace and Sidewalk Prophets and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Print, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.

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

A Long Way Off from Word Films

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

The Virtues of Oxygen - Giveaway and Review

When I asked my husband if he knew what an iron lung was, he paused a moment before telling me it was a medieval torture device. I began to wonder just how many people probably had the same thoughts or were completely baffled at just what this was since technology seems much more advanced than it would have back in the early 1900's. The Virtues of Oxygen by Susan Schoenberger was based on such a true story of Martha Mason, a young woman who spent the majority of her life confined within an iron lung that would breathe for her when polio robbed her of that ability to do so for herself.


It was that idea that inspired Susan to use that as the basis for her contemporary fiction involving Vivian Markham, a sixty three year old woman who has spent her entire life since the age of six living in an iron lung. She contracted polio at the age of six and subsequently loses her older sister the day before, leaving her alone and unable to leave the device or she would die. Even though advancements were made in the medical field, for Vivian, those advancements would pass her by, because after so many years of being dependent on the iron lung, her body had atrophied so much that she would not be able to breathe on her own. Her life looking at the world horizontally is the inspiration behind the main character in this novel who is cared for by her aging mother and a staff of rotating volunteers that live in town, that have vowed to help Vivian live in the best way she can.

One of her volunteers, Holly is a widow caring for two growing boys while struggling to keep the house she shared with her husband. Now with bills piling up higher than she can hope to pay them, she takes a job working part time as someone who will oversee Vivian's investment in a Cash For Gold business she is setting up in town. With the economy taking a turn for the worse, Holly fears it will only be a matter of time, before their small town newspaper office will go belly up with less ads being sold by the businesses in town. If that happens, despite what she hopes about holding on to her home, she will have to let the bank foreclose on the home. But for now, Holly's mother has been helping her with the mortgage payments. When the unforeseeable happens and Holly's mother has a stroke, suddenly she will be forced to make some hard decisions to avoid living on the streets with her boys. She wants to know that her life here has meant something much like Vivian does. They want to make a difference in the lives of those around them and not merely be a burden instead.

I received The Virtues of Oxygen by Susan Schoenberger compliments of Lake Union Publishing and TLC Book Tours 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 poignant story of two very different women that are united by their ability to survive despite the challenges odds against them. For Vivian it was physically and for Holly, financially. Yet despite the odds, they persevere in ways they never dreamed possible and it will be the one thing that will hold them together just when things begin to grow dark in their lives. They will come to understand that they see the real person they are on the inside despite what they look like on the outside. In the end those hollow places in their soul will feel less hollow because they had been useful to a remarkable spirit whose every breath as forced as it was, mattered. I absolutely LOVED this novel and can't wait to share it with you. It's heart felt, well written with every ounce of human passion that the writer could pour into this story and trust me in the end, it will leave you changed for the better and in these tough times we all find ourselves living in, there is truly something for us all in this novel. I easily rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Now for the best part, thanks to the generous folks at Lake Union Publishing and TLC Book Tours, they are offering a giveaway copy to one lucky follower of my blog Reviews From The Heart. Here are your details to enter:

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

2. "Like" Susan Schoenberger's Facebook page. While you're there, let her know you stopped by!

3. Be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

4. Leave me a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of The Virtues of Oxygen along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols. Remember if you don't include it with your comment, I have no way of reaching out to let you know you're the winner.

I will notify the winner by email once the giveaway ends on August 27th.

For more information about The Virtues of Oxygen, Susan Schoenberger, or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Virtues of Oxygen by Susan Schoenberger

You can also find Susan Schoenberger on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Virtues of Oxygen, please visit TLC Book Tour's page.

The Healer's Touch

Combining the legend of the Ozark Spook lights along with a bit of western romance, best-selling author Lori Copeland takes us back in time in The Healer's Touch, her latest novel from Harvest House Publishers. The novel opens with the mystery of the lights seen on a deserted stretch of gravel road, known to the locals as the Spook lights. Some argue that the lights can be explained by headlights from the cars traveling along old Route 66, which would be fine, except that the lights began before the road was constructed and cars were invented. Whatever they are, they are a supporting character found in this novel set in the late 1800's in Missouri, where the majority of the people living just outside of Joplin, fear the Bolton family. They believe that the old woman who lives in the house that is just plain mad is responsible for those mysterious lights that no one can explain and the reason why no one ventures up to the Bolton home.

Good thing for Lyric and Lake, who care for their aging and ill mother, that the town has for the most part left them alone in Bolton Holler. Believing that she is moments from dying, Lyric is buying her time to save as much money as she can so they can leave this place and move to where people stop judging others based on what they think they know. .What she doesn't expect is to find her barn door destroyed late one night, and an injured man laying beneath the shattered remnants of her door. Believing he is one of the Younger brothers, a notorious gang of outlaws living in Missouri, she believes she is in for a reward if she can convince the sheriff to come and get him. She didn't count on the sheriff being so afraid that he refuses to venture up to her property to identify him. Now she will have to find a way to get the man to town in order to collect her reward and hopefully get out of town a whole lot sooner than she expected.

Now if she can figure out who this man is, but unfortunately not even he can help. Seems that running into her barn door that night has caused him to lose whatever memory he had and he isn't able to provide any identification, since he isn't carrying any. How can Lyric be sure that by turning over this man to the sheriff that she won't be sentencing an innocent man to hanging if he isn't guilty? How will they ever figure out just who this man really is? If he isn't wanted, then she will be living here a whole lot longer than she wanted since she doesn't have enough money for them to leave right now.

I received A Healer's Touch by Lori Copeland compliments of Harvest House Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. I love the combination of the mysterious lights along with the western romantic flair. It's like Ghost Hunters meets Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. The beginning of this one was a bit slow and took me a bit to get into the story, but about 1/3 of the way through, I was engaged in the dilemma that Lyric faces in how to determine the outcome of a man's fate when she didn't know if he was a wanted man or not. In a time when information was slow coming and justice was doled out swiftly, it would be easy to wonder how many innocent men might have been hanged based on hearsay instead of known facts. For those that love a bit of western romance along with the mysterious spook lights, you will definitely want to pick this one up. I even found myself researching them on YouTube. You just might be surprised at what you will find! I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and it includes a discussion guide at the conclusion of this novel.

For more information about The Healer's Touch, Lori Copeland or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Healer's Touch by Lori Copeland

You can also find Lori Copeland on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Healer's Touch, please visit Harvest House Publisher's website. 

The Last Witness

There are just some books that will forever touch your heart and soul and stay with you long after you turn that final page. "The Last Witness" from best-selling author Glenn Meade is just that novel. Based on a story of a young woman he met while traveling and learning of her survival during the Bosnian war, set the tone for his latest suspense thriller than I can guarantee you won't be able to put down. I found it hard to think how in 1991 while the crisis was happening in Sarajevo, ethnic cleansing, mass rapes and concentration camps once again reared their ugly head even after we swore as a global community that we could never allow something like the Jewish Holocaust to happen again, but it did.

Carla Lane is beginning to discover through repetitive nightmares that something has been missing in her life, something she can't explain. When she tries to make sense of it, she comes up empty handed. Just beginning her own perfect dream as a soon-to-be mother, she is hoping that she can talk to her husband, Jan about it after his concert tonight. When an explosion in their car happens just outside the theater, she spends the next four days recovering in a hospital only to learn that Jan didn't survive. It appears that he has his own secrets he was keeping from Carla. Secrets Carla has been keeping buried in her mind to protect her from the atrocities that she witnessed when she was a girl living in Bosnia with her parents.

It will take the work of a therapist to help her unlock the mysteries to her nightmares along with a diary her mother left behind detailing the life she has managed to block out. One that no child would ever want to remember. One that claimed the lives of countless men, women and children as she was imprisoned in a death camp in Bosnia that is every bit as horrible as the concentration camps like Auschwitz. Now she is about to set out on a journey to discover the people responsible for the death of not only her husband but her parents and brother as well and the first place she needs to begin is with the only witness that has ever come forward claiming to have survived the horrors. Will she be able to provide the clues she will need to unlock who is responsible and will she be able to do what she has planned to pay back those responsible?

I received The Last Witness by Glenn Meade compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. In the Author Note's section, Glenn clarifies for the reader how he got the idea for the story and how it set the tone for showcasing the horrors most have missed that happened in 1990-2001 , as the crisis unfolded when Slobodan Milosevic, Serbia's leader in 1991, tries to rein in the Yugoslav regions of Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia, a bloody conflict that would split the country apart along ethnic and religious divides. While the story is hard hitting, the truth is that this did happen and to this day graves are still being uncovered. It it hard to fathom that we as a global community continue to let things like this happen instead of doing all we can to prevent it. Well researched, and beautifully written to allow the reader a front row seat to just what Carla Lane and her family had to endure and learn to live with and thus the reason for a 5 out of 5 star rating in my opinion.

For more information about The Last Witness, Glenn Meade, and where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Last Witness by Glenn Meade

You can find Glenn Meade on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Last Witness, please visit Howard Book's website. 

A Deadly Wandering

We've all heard about the dangers of texting and driving. In fact 40 states have on the books some law banning the use of a cellular phone while driving or banning texting while driving, in order to prevent the loss of life that happens when a driver simply becomes too distracted and takes their eyes off the road for a split second.

In the book A Deadly Wandering: A Tale of Tragedy and Redemption in the Age of Attention by Matt Richtel, he takes us on quite the journey through the first case in Utah involving 19-year-old Reggie Shaw. He was on his way to work one morning in September and doesn't even remember most of the accident he found himself involved in. All he remembers is somehow crossing the yellow divider, which he believed was cause by hydroplaning and clipped a vehicle carrying two rocket scientists, Kevin O'Dell and Jim Furfaro. This caused their car to fish tail and was subsequently T-boned by John Kaiserman, killing both men instantaneously. Mr. Kaiserman would report to the local authorities that he had observed Reggie's vehicle drift repeatedly over the yellow divider several times before the accident.

When questioned by investigators about what he believed caused him to drift over the divider, Reggie still believed his vehicle must have hydroplaned. But the odd thing is that very little rain had fallen and the road was so rough, the answer didn't seem to add up. When Reggie was asked if he had been using his cell phone while driving, he answered No. In this novel, Matt Richtel, takes readers into the investigation, science, and subsequent outcome of the first case involving texting and driving in Utah which resulted in the deaths of Mr. O'Dell and Mr. Furfaro. It is a chilling eye-opener that I feel everyone should read.

We, as consumers, fail to see the connection in why using a cell phone while driving in any form is dangerous and in my opinion should be banned. Now with the invention of smart phones, and onboard computers being installed in our vehicles is it any wonder why we can't pay attention to multiple things at the same time, while trying to drive our cars. The more we do while driving the more errors we make. We do not grow stronger in our ability to do more in our cars, it simply takes more time for us to recover and resume our attention on the road in front of us. Little by little, I believe this book illustrates is how addicted we are becoming as a society on the use of the Internet and our ability to stay connected all the time. There is some great research by several authorities in this book and I believe Matt tied this together perfectly in bringing it all to light. I can only hope that more people will read it and make the decision for themselves.

I received A Deadly Wandering by Matte Richtel compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained in this review are my own. After reading this book, you would be hard pressed not to reconsider our use of computers, the Internet, smart phones and technology. We are not slowing down and it makes you wonder just how healthy all this is on our brain, It also makes you wonder as Reggie suggests in this book, to consider the text messages you send while driving, are any of them worth your life or the lives of people on the road around you? There are other cases that are referred to as well from accidents that were caused as a result of texting while driving, which makes you six times as likely to get into an accident, three times more likely just talking on your cell phone. The research is chilling and one that deserves a closer look. For me, my phone will be on silent and stored away from my eye sight while I am driving from this moment on. It's simply not worth it. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about A Deadly Wandering, Matt Richtel or where you can pre-order a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

A Deadly Wandering by Matt Richtel

You can also find Matt Richtel on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest books.

To read more reviews on A Deadly Wandering, please visit William Morrow's website.

Seal of God

From the moment you pick up Seal of God by Chad Williams, you will be completely hooked until the very end. We all have an interest in things we don't know an awful lot about, the secret training required of Navy SEALs, the bond that is created once you have passed all the grueling training that would leave most of us in the dust, but there is something honest about the story that Chad Williams shares about his own journey in trying to find something to fill the empty hole in his life. This is a true story of how one SEAL found God and how he is using his testimony to change lives forever.

Chad Williams wanted more than simply going through the motions required of us all. You attend school, graduate, head to college and plan on gaining an education that will set the foundation for the remainder of your life. But somewhere along the way, Chad realized he wanted something more than what everyone was doing. He wanted to make his life count for something more than a paper you hang on the way. He wanted to be able to look back and be amazed he did something that only a handful would ever dream of doing. He wanted to become a Navy SEAL.

His father was less than thrilled to learn that Chad was giving up on the college dream to pursue something he didn't believe Chad could do. Mostly into hanging out with his skateboarding buddies, partying from the success he found at being a professional skateboarder and earning sponsors like Vans, Chad enjoyed the popularity and fame that came from that but something was still missing. He vowed he would endure whatever Hell the military would put him through just to make it to the end, despite what his father felt was sure to be a bonafide attempt and failure. In fact before Chad even made it to training and enrollment, his father, contacted a Navy SEAL and begged him to show Chad he didn't have what it took to even begin this journey into the military. The man agreed to meet Chad and invited him to "come and play" via an email. Was Chad up for the challenge?

The challenge would be something that would change not only Chad, but his father and the man who would train him and become his mentor through Chad's entire journey, US Navy Seal, Scott Helvenston. What started out as an effort to make something of himself to be proud of, would take him into a journey of darkness and horror beyond anything most of our minds can't comprehend and in the end would leave him a far different man than he ever dreamed possible.

I received Seal of God by Chad Williams as a purchase and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. I had the rare opportunity to witness Chad Williams speak at our church in California, and he is both engaging, charismatic and convincing. His testimony speaks of the love of friendship, the bond of brothers the SEALs share, the price of revenge, and the cost of loss of life of those we love and admire. It is a heart-breaking journey into the darkness of finding it all, achieving success and winding up empty when you arrive because the fulfillment we find when we rise to the top of corporate ladders is empty and the only thing there is people trying to knock you off and take your place at all costs. This is an eye opener for any one looking to find purpose in their own life. For Chad Williams, the journey wasn't an easy one, one he might not want to take again, but it is one worth all the blood, sweat and tears he faced to get where he is today. In my opinion, well worth every 5 out of 5 stars. For those looking at what it really takes to get into the Navy SEALs or to find purpose in your own life, check this one out.

For more information about Seal of God, Chad Williams, or where you can get a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Seal of God by Chad Williams

You can also find Chad Williams on Facebook to stay updated on all his latest happenings in his life.

In Perfect Time

To be completely honest, Sarah Sundin is one of my favorite WWII romance authors. Her in depth research into the flight nurses of WWII and the types of duties they were called upon to fill, the dangers they faced when flying in C-47 cargo planes converted to flying hospitals to provide transportation for wounded soldiers until they could receive care at a military hospital. You are literally in the heat of things as you understand the dynamics of caring for wounded soldiers stacked three high inside an airplane. As a women you were faced with the challenges of ensuring medications were administered quickly and efficiently in mid air, as well as face the daunting task of maintaining professionalism while dealing with men who believed women shouldn't be involved in any aspect of the war.

In her series Wings of the Nightingale, In Perfect Time is the third addition I've had the honor to read and review. I've been a huge fan of anything WWII related especially when dealing with the roles women served in assisting with the war efforts. Army Air Force nurse, Lt Kay Johnson finds herself in an unusual predicament, she has a vacancy left in her weekly dating schedule. She has made it quite clear to all the men she is dating that she won't get serious with any of them, and a date is simply all they are going to get, nothing more. Yet some of her "dates" believe they can convince Kay to give up her single lifestyle and settle down, and yet others are trying to pressure her for more than just a casual date without the commitment strings attached.

But for once Kay want to be taken seriously as both a woman and a flight nurse, but with her ongoing reputation as being a flirt, she can't get anyone to notice her best efforts. If only one of her flights could run into danger like all the other flight nurses on her team have, then she could show them all, she is simply more than a pretty face. But the one man, Kay sets her heart on, wants nothing to do with her. Roger Cooper, one of her C-47 pilots on occasion has heard of Kay, from all his co-workers and has his own aspirations on making a success in the service, if he can only gain the respect of his superiors. But when he consistent shows up late, they believe they need to look somewhere else. Is is possible that God has a plan in mind when He pairs Kay and Roger together? You will simply need to pick this one up to find out and it's definitely going to be a bumpy ride.

I received In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin compliments of Revell Publishing and Litfuse Publicity which provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for a review and have not received any monetary compensation for a favorable review. If you're like me and love having WWII as the backdrop for your romance novels, then you will absolutely love this one. The thing that keeps this honest and real for me is that the characters have flaws, they aren't perfect and the struggles that they are each dealing with are ones we can relate to. Not feeling like we measure up to others standards and are our own worst enemy at times. Instead of asking for help dealing with our struggles we pull away out of fear of what others think about us, when in the end, we are all more alike than we think.

Sarah's writing style is superb with attention to detail that makes you feel like you can hear the roar of the C-47's engines and the pull of the plane as it attempts to take off from less than ideal runaways.She also utilizes the stories of the 802nd Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron for ideas to incorporate into this novel and ones can you read more about on her website. For the romance lover at heart, you are sure to fall in love with Sarah's novels. Even though this is part of the Wings of Nightingale Series, you can read it as a stand alone as each novel takes one of the characters you meet and provides you with an indepth look at how each of Kay's co-workers are dealing with the responsibilities and duties of a flight nurse. For me, a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and also includes discussion guide questions at the conclusion of this novel.

For more information about In Perfect Time, Sarah Sundin, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin

You can also find Sarah Sundin on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on In Perfect Time, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.


Don't miss Sarah Sundin's hot-off-the-press novel, In Perfect Time. Publishers Weekly gives it an enthusiastic thumbs up: “Sundin excels at well-researched historical detail . . . with such accurate depictions of culture and setting that we are fully immersed in the times as well as in the story. The strength of relationships forged in war and the apprehension of God in times of trouble infuse this well-crafted novel with substance and light.”

Sarah is celebrating the release of her book with a fun giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle HDX
• The Wings of the Nightingale Series (With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, and In Perfect Time)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 24th. Winner will be announced August 25th at Sarah's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Sarah's blog on the 25th to see if you won! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

Sky Zone

With the every increasing rise in terror threats, America is waiting for a president who can stand up and take action. It seems that Martin Sterling is just the man for the job. With government cuts in military spending, presidential candidate Martin Sterling believes we are becoming too passive and headed in the wrong direction. We shouldn't be negotiating with terrorists, we should be firming up and securing our borders and increasing the spending and support for our military. He is just what the American people are looking for, and if he can convince more of them, he might just win the next presidential election.

For Jack Crittendon, the economy is his worst enemy. Struggling to find a full time job while his his Pamela is forced to head back to work while 8-months pregnant is making him feel the pressures of maintaining leadership in his home. Yet no matter where he applies, he always comes up empty. But thanks to a contact with his friend Derrick Williams at the Gazette, if presidential candidate Martin Sterling wins this election, they will need someone to take over the editor's desk and they are looking at Jack. Unfortunately that won't happen until November and that is a really maybe at best. Until then, he is working security part-time at the Festival Arena in preparation for Sterling's upcoming speech.

Just when he thinks life can't get any more interesting, the Festival Arena is notified of a potential terrorist threat that about 30% confirmed to take place the night of Sterling's speech. But not all threats turn into reality, still they aren't willing to take any chances and call in for reinforcements from the local police and S.W.A.T. teams as well as anyone they can convince to help out. Thank goodness Jack's long time friend, Brian Shakespeare, an ex-military service man and survivalist is part of their team and they know he can handle organizing the security detail should anything happen. They just aren't prepared to see this nightmare come true in the worst of circumstances and things are about to get personal in this political suspense thriller.

I received Sky Zone by Creston Mapes compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and David C. Cook Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained in this review are strictly my own. For those of you that love fast-paced, action-packed, political suspense novels, trust me and pick this one up. While it is part of a series, The Crittendon Files, you can pick this one up a stand alone and get immediately hooked. I literally read this one in one sitting. The stakes are high for both Jack and Brian when despite all their training, they find themselves coming up short and the expected results are not what they get. I love the way Creston gets the reader involved and caring about the outcome of his characters like Jack and the situation that is going on in both his personal and professional life at the same time which amps up his stress level. The writing is geared to hook you at the begin and leave you completely breathless by the end. Out of all three books in the series I loved this one the best. It's great for those of you that love movies like Patriot Games and The Fugitive. You'll find yourself holding your breath during this one! Easy to give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and love adding this one to my series. There is also discussion questions included at the conclusion of this novel!

For more information about Sky Zone, Creston Mapes or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Sky Zone by Creston Mapes

You can also find Creston Mapes on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on Sky Zone, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's Book Tour Page. 

Butternut Summer: A Novel

Summer is a time for more than simply a change of seasons. It's a time for reflection, a time of rest and of course a time for romance. In the latest novel from the Butternut Lake Trilogy by Mary McNear, we once again found ourselves in the small town of Butternut Lake, Minnesota. A small town where everyone knows everyone and most have grown up here and decided to keep their roots.

Daisy Keegan is home from college and working as a waitress in the diner her mother owns and manages, Pearls. Famous for blueberry pancakes, great conversation and the feel of warmth among the locals who visit here, Daisy is hoping to reunite her broken family of 18 years. Without her mother's knowledge during the last year, Daisy has reestablished the relationship with her father Jack who left them both. While the process has been slow, it has been mending each time they visit and Daisy is hoping that an unscheduled lunch date with her parents is just the thing to get them talking at least. But she isn't thinking of her mother when she is making these plans and how she might feel having her ex-husband not only meeting her for lunch but moving back to Butternut Lake. She only remembers the Jack that walked out on them after drinking, gambling and cheating on her, 18 years ago. She has finally moved on with her life, without Jack.

But Jack has more on his mind than simply trying to restore his family. It's time to convince Caroline why he really left in the first place. That despite what she thinks of him, he has changed. He still is the man who fell in love with her 18 years ago and wants nothing more than a second chance, but knows he truly has his work cut out for him. Daisy and Caroline are both struggling in their own ways, with Daisy coming to terms with what she hopes life is going to offer now that she is done with college in a small town like Butternut Lake. Caroline has her own secrets in struggling to figure out how she can continue to make the loan payments on the Diner when the economy is so bad. If she doesn't think of something soon, the bank will foreclose on the business leaving her without a job or a home.

I received Butternut Summer: A Novel from Mary McNear compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. I couldn't wait to pick this series up again after reading the first novel, Up At Butternut Lake. For me, one of my favorite summer memories of a child was spending time at our family's lakeside cabin and enjoying a time of love and relaxation. In this novel we see the flaws of all the characters in this novel. Jack is trying to chance after a life of destruction with alcohol and women and is trying to start over again with Caroline. He realizes he has a way to go to show her that he has changed even though he has managed to convince their daughter to give him a second chance. Daisy is struggling with her own identity now that she has graduated college and is trying to find a life to begin without knowing what comes next. Caroline is trying to find a way to get out from under the financial crisis she is hiding from everyone and simply hopes something will come up soon that will answer her problems.

This book does contain some sexual content and thus may not be suitable for young adults so caution is advised. I guess for me the best part of this novel is that things are not easily solved for any of the main characters. The novel doesn't race to the end to give you the resolution you're hoping for and I love that Daisy is willing to think things through in regards to her relationship with former bad boy Will Hughes instead of merely jumping at the opportunity of romance even though she places herself at times in dangerous places with Will, knowing his reputation. For me, Jack is my favorite character, because he isn't about the quick fix but about showing both Caroline and Daisy that he has change from his former life and that he isn't the same man who left them 18 years ago. That takes guts to come back and deal with the implications of the wrong choices you made in the past. Perhaps it gives us hope for second chances and for forgiveness with those we call family. I rate this novel a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Butternut Summer: A Novel, Mary McNear or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Butternut Summer: A Novel by Mary McNear

You can also find Mary McNear on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Butternut Summer, please visit William Morrow's website. 

Lords of the Sky

If you are a fan of fighter pilots, vintage aircraft or just an all around military/history buff from World War I and II, Vietnam, Korean, and even our most recent military campaigns that involve aircraft, then trust me, you'll definitely want to get your hands on the latest book from Dan Hampton. Lords of the Sky takes readers into the history of aviation from the very first planes designed and attempted to be flown by such legends as the Wright Bros and to Etienne Montgofier who piloted the first balloon air reconnaissance in 1783. The books really takes to heart every conceivable well known plane, engines, and pilots and showcases them in a great chronological order that even a woman can understand and truly enjoy.

The book isn't just about aviation either, is illustrates the reason for needing air support and just what is required before you simply attach a machine gun on to the top of your barn storming bi-plane. The details of flight from thrust, lift, drag and weight are critical components we take for granted when we board our commercial airlines and head for our tropical vacation destination. We learn how weaponry was added to this planes, and what the limitations of getting them to work entailed. From learning how not to shoot your propeller off, the dealing with the elements inside an open cockpit and what to do when you are wits end in the midst of a dog fight.

It is hard to realize that in the years leading up to World War I, no one really gave serious thought to armed aircraft. In fact, the U.S. War Department turned the Wright brothers down on three occasions for a military version of their contraption, and the British secretary of war stated in 1910, "We do not consider that aeroplanes will be of any possible use for war purposes." We have certainly come a long way since that day. From fighting air battles with low visibility, freezing cold temperatures and your only weapon being a carefully aimed brick were just the things that pilots had to contend with. In fact in WWI, most pilots average life span was only 2 weeks.

From the Red Baron, to the Royal Air Force, to the Mitsubishi Zero to Supermarine Spitfire, to the P-51 Mustang to the Grumman Hellcat all the way to the F-16 and F-18 SuperHornets, the aviation lover is bound to find something in this 600+ page hardcover book. "The Lords of the Sky is about the fighter pilot. It begins with the Great War, as World War I was originally known because the sky over the trenches was the birthplace of the fighter pilot. The development of fighter aircraft and the combat pilot was more closely tied to ground actions during the Great War than was the case in subsequent conflict. Aviation services were a fledgling military branch and closely attached to their parent armies. So the ground situation is explained in some detail to give the reader an explanation of why fighter development occurred as it did." (author note).

I received Lords of the Sky by Dan Hampton compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own, unless otherwise notated. Even though as a woman book reviewer, I love the way Dan wrote this book. It wasn't so over the top with airplane jargon and detailed descriptions that I would find myself completely lost. In fact, it was just the opposite. I felt myself drawn into the background of the military campaigns and didn't realize how difficult winning a war was and what some of the overwhelming odds faced our armed forces. It gave me a greater appreciation not only for our service men and women but for fighter pilots who are often faced with solo survival in the midst of high altitude flying over enemy lines. Well worth the money to invest in this book for fans of military, fighter pilots, and war heroes alike who are looking for something completely different. I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Not since the invention of the encyclopedia, do you have so much information packed into one book!

For more information about Lords of the Sky, Dan Hampton, and where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Lords of the Sky by Dan Hampton

You can find Dan Hampton on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest books.

To read more reviews on Lord of the Sky, please visit William Morrow's website.

The Sign Painter

Looking around almost everywhere, you see homeless people. While some may chose this sort of life as a scam and a way to earn money, there are others that find their way into this situation through a series of unforeseen circumstances. I am so glad that Davis Bunn decided to utilize this as the backdrop of his latest novel, The Sign Painter. It does more than highlight the homeless, it shows us that hope is possible and most simply want the opportunity to get out of it as fast as possible and often times, children and families are impacted the most. Their stories are worth getting to know.

In The Sign Painter, Amy Dowell is struggling to find a way just to keep her head above water. After the death of her husband two years ago, she has watched her world as she knew it slowly slide into an oblivion. First the loss of income her husband provided, then the loss of health benefits, then she had to declare bankruptcy and finally had to watch her home go into foreclosure forcing herself to where she is today, living with her young daughter Kimmie in her husband's old truck with a camper shell.

Now with the prospect of a job on the horizon, she hopes she can convince the local Methodist church to consider her position and let her daughter into their day care program, long enough to make some money. But what Amy gets in return is far more than expected and puts her back on the grace of God. Just in time, the church offers her and Kimmie a small apartment that she can stay in for 9 months, as long as she remains drug free and finds employment. In return, they will take care of Kimmie during the hours she has to work. Now if she can begin to find trust in the people she finds herself surrounded by again, she might find more than she is hoping for. Her job as a sign painter for Denton Chevrolet will allow her a small cushion to live on until she can find another free lance assignment, but there is more going on at the car dealership than the owner is even aware of, or is he? You'll have to pick this one up to find out how it all ends for Amy and her daughter Kimmie.

I received The Sign Painter by Davis Bunn compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. I've been a fan of Davis Bunn since my first encounter with his book, The Black Madonna and continue to be amazed out how diversified his novels are. This one offers readers insight into the lives of a single mother who finds herself in the direst of circumstances while the neighborhood she is working and living in, is being plagued by drug dealers and criminals moving into the houses nearby. It shows how difficult it can be living in the midst of crime while trying to find a way out. Once again Davis Bunn engages his readers through capturing their heart without them realizing it and taking them along for the ride of their life. An unforgettable novel that will have you rethinking the homeless people you see on the street the very next time. I would rate this novel a 4.5 out of 5 stars and there is a great discussion guide and author Q and A at the conclusion of this novel.

For more information about The Sign Painter, Davis Bunn or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Sign Painter by Davis Bunn

You can also find Davis Bunn on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Sign Painter, please visit Howard Book's website.