The Old Fashioned Way Devotional and Book Novelization - Review and Package Giveaway

 I love it when I have such an incredible giveaway opportunity it simply makes me want to share it with the world, especially when looking for great alternatives to dating and keeping things in a biblical perspective when it comes to relationship. Falling in the line with Old Fashioned the Movie and subsequent DVD, there is also a novelization based on the movie and a companion devotional in reclaiming the lost art of romance inspired as well by the motion picture Old Fashioned.

I believe more than ever, this is practical advice that provides the proper perspective both men and women need in regards to the alternatives to dating and relationships, and that is understanding the ideals and principles from both the Bible and from old fashioned courtships that keep purity and boundaries in place until marriage happens. It is something I feel women are searching for as they strive to find romance in often times the wrong places, wrong people and wrong relationships, because they are willing to give up and compromise on their personal beliefs for love.

In the novelization of Old Fashioned by Rene Gutteridge and based on the screenplay by Rik Swartzwelder, we follow the stories of Clay Walsh and Amber Hewson who have made some mistakes in their past which has moved them into their current situations on how they each view relationships from vastly different perspectives, in this case polar opposites. Clay was your stereotypical frat boy who found women were just part of the college experience and didn't care for feelings or emotions as he went through his experiences with women. Amber was severely abused physically, emotionally and mentally for not living up to the standards of the last guy she dated and now has a different view of what love looks like. Now they both are struggling to find something that works and in Clay's case a complete 180 degree of relationships when he forms boundaries that Amber sees as old fashioned in a contemporary world.

The devotional, The Old Fashioned Way, reclaiming the lost art of romance by Ginger Kolbaba is perfect in allowing readers to gain an idea of what it means to court others in lieu of dating them and opens up different perspectives I have never considered because often times we only look at our own wants and needs and remain indifferent to those of someone we might be interested in. Each chapter takes into consideration very different ideas explored both from the movie, Old Fashioned, but other world views as well and gives you some amazing biblical insight that is guaranteed to spark some very different conversations in your own relationships and that of raising morally conscience children.

I received Old Fashioned  the novelization by Rene Gutteridge and The Old Fashioned Way devotional by Ginger Kolbaba compliments of Propeller LLC and Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review of these wonderful books. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review outside of a free copy of each book for my honest opinion. These are must haves for anyone considering dating, parenting and relationships from a Christian and biblical perspective. They offer an alternative to what the world would view offers society today and in keeping with the biblical and moral standards found in the Bible. For me, these both are well worth all 5 out of 5 stars especially when parents are looking for an alternative way to keeping purity before marriage and a biblical view on relationships and courtship! Chivalry is definitely not dead!!

For more information about The Old Fashioned Way Devotional, Old Fashioned the novelization, Rene Gutteridge, Ginger Kolbaba or where you can pick these up today, please click on the links below:

The Old Fashioned Way Devotional by Ginger Kolbaba

The Old Fashioned Novel by Rene Gutteridge

You can find Rene Gutteridge on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

You can find Ginger Kolbaba on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

Learn more about Old Fashioned the Motion Picture on Facebook.

Now for the most incredible giveaway offer ever!!! I am offering an Old Fashioned DVD, The Old Fashioned Way Devotional and Old Fashioned The Novel to one lucky follower of my blog Reviews From The Heart. Here's what you need to do to enter:

1. "Like" Old Fashioned's Facebook page.

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

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

4. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win the Old Fashioned Giveaway Package and how you plan on using it. Don't forget to include your email address. Without it, I can't contact you if you're the lucky winner. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

The giveaway will end on July 6th so be sure to make sure to enter and tell your friends and family about it as well. I will notify the winner by email so be sure to include it with your comments.


If you have been a winner of any Propeller or FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days you will be ineligible to participate in this giveaway to give everyone a fair chance at winning.

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 and per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Love Arrives in Pieces

For most of us, we have had a past relationship that didn't end up the way we wanted and we both went separate ways. Sometimes they ended on good terms and often times, there is hurt and pain that accompanied that parting of the ways. But for Stella Varland and Chase Taylor, they are struggling in different ways to come to terms with a new future neither of them could have predicted.

For Stella Varland, always the pageant queen, at least in the eyes of her mother, she perceived her beauty as something that would always keep her husband Dillion's interest. It was the one thing that attracted him to her, but after five years, something better come along in the form of a red head, and he felt he no longer loved Stella any longer. How can that be? She still maintain her beauty pageant looks and figure but now it seems that is no longer the basis for keeping your husband in your marriage.

Chase Taylor, lost the love of his life when she died before they ever had a chance to get married. While others are insisting he move forward in his life, it isn't something Chase is ready to do quite yet. Funny how that happens, people always think they know what is best for you without knowing how you really feel on the inside. Now since moving back to his hometown of Bayou Bend from Texas, he is hoping that working on renovation of the town's old theater will give him the much needed break from the past and everyone who is connected with his former life. He just never dreamed the interior designer on the project would be the woman who held his heart so long ago, Stella Varland. But she is no longer looking like the beauty queen from long ago, and harbors a sense of sadness that he can relate to, and one that has taken the light she once had! Can he find a way to restore the light she once had and perhaps in the process give them a new future they had only dreamed about once upon a time ago?

I received Love Arrives in Pieces by Betsy St. Amant compliments of Zondervan Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is such a wonderful heartwarming novel, because like Betsy's previous novel, All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes, we get a taste of romance in an unpredictable way. Kat and Lucas are both part of this novel as well so readers who remember them from that novel will be happy at the continuation of sorts we find in this one. I love that there isn't a one solution fixes all in this one and things are just tied up in a pretty bow and everything is perfect. Because that is not how real life is, and that is why I find myself drawn to Betsy's novels in the first place. In my opinion, this is just another winning novel that has found a permanent place on my library shelf and worth all 5 out of 5 stars. Discussion guide questions are included in this novel that makes it the perfect choice for book clubs as well.

For more information about Love Arrives in Pieces, Betsy St. Amant or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Love Arrives in Pieces by Betsy St. Amant

You can find Betsy St. Amant on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on Love Arrives in Pieces, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page. 

Balm of Gilead

What a wonderful world of plants and herbs God has so graciously given to us and how little we truly know how they can be used to cure and help a lot of what ails us today. Sarah Yoder has found this wisdom to help create ointments, salves and teas to help those in her community that need it and can benefit from it. If only she could find something to help keep her from the pain of the love she feels for Henry who has announced his marriage to a English woman, Ginny who runs the Inn. Since Henry never formally joined the Amish church, he is free to make whatever choices he believes is best for him even if it goes against everything he was raised to believe.

Now Sarah must find a way to keep her heart protected when Henry comes to her for help after having his hand affected by all the clay he works with as a potter. Beyond the normal dryness, they are beginning to bleed and nothing he has tried is helping. If Sarah can't help him, the career he had hoped to build by selling his pottery will come crashing down around him. Sarah is just beginning to sense a bit of healing as her own son has returned from a long trip to help on a ranch in Colorado. She is hoping he might now settle down and join the Amish faith, but this will be a season in Sarah's life in which she must learn that some choices are out of her hands and everyone must deal with the choices they make in life. It doesn't have any bearing on how well she has raised her son, but that a life is given to each of us to live as we see fit. Until that time, she can only pray and continue to search for ways to heal what is broken inside them all.

I received Balm of Gilead by Adina Senft compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups 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 the third book in the Healing Grace Series, and one I have enjoyed because of my own love for herbal and natural remedies. I believe there is true power in their ability to heal what ails us and love that Sarah gets the opportunity not only to practice them but also to continue to learn more about what cures are available even as they encounter such things as latex allergies, something an Amish person wouldn't likely deal with on a daily basis. There is even a great discussion guide included at the conclusion of this novel. I give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Balm of Gilead, Adina Senft or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Balm of Gilead by Adina Senft

You can find Adina Senft on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Balm of Gilead, please check out Faith Word's website. 

Catching Faith - DVD Review

Who doesn't want the perfect family. Successful, strong marriage, loving home, wonderful children who are striving for success in their own personal ways? What if that was all an illusion to those who were living that life? What if from the outside, things looked perfect, but underneath, is was all a well staged act in hopes that one day it might become real?

Catching Faith is the latest DVD which showcases the lives of the Taylor family and from the outside, it all looks perfect. John and Alexa are the loving married couple who are the epitome of parental involvement in the lives of their two children Beau and Ravyn. They attend all of Beau's football games because as the quarterback, he is well on his way to a professional career and one that is finally giving his team hopes of a championship. Ravyn is on track to become her high schools valedictorian, acing every single one of her courses and when she learns she has been accepted for early enrollment at the college of her choice, she is beaming with the wonderful news.

But on the inside it is all a facade. Beau winds up attending a party at the home of friends whose parents are out of town, and finds himself drinking to keep up with the pretenses of everyone there who idolizes him among his peers and teammates. Ravyn learns that unless she can improve her grade in Latin, she will fall from her status as graduating from a valedictorian to a salutatorian, which is something she can't stomach. When she is asked to make copies of the Latin final, she learns that the answer key is also among the papers and feels she has been given a way out.

But when tragedy strikes and Alexa loses her father, things will begin to spiral downhill as the family attempts to deal with the circumstances while trying to maintain the perfect image of what their family should look like to those in their community. It is a true struggle of what it truly means to have faith in God that He will make all things right in His own timing even though we might not like the outcome in how the world will see us. It shows that if you stick together, you have a great starting point in changing circumstances for the better but only through your faith in God first!

I received Catching Faith by RLJ Entertainment 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. This DVD is currently available for preorder at your local Christian retailer right now, and will be released in early August. For fans of football movies that teach about faith, you will definitely want to add this to your collection. It opens up some great topics of conversation with your family from personal faith, commitment, drinking and cheating and what those outcomes might be like for those who participate in them. In my opinion, there is no greater need right now than to enforce a strong sense of faith within the family than ever before and the reason why I give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Catching Faith, RLJ Entertainment, or where you can preorder a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

Catching Faith by RLJ Entertainment

You can find Catching Faith on Facebook to stay up to date on all the movies information.

You can preorder a copy of Catching Faith from Amazon.

Two Roads Home

"We'll need to meet with HR and with Michaela. See if we can iron things out, I need you to think this through though. Is there anything else we should know? We don't want her springing something on us unaware."

He blew out a breath and raked a hand through his hair. "I guess you should know that I talked to her on Wednesday. She'd called my cell phone Tuesday night, and I just wanted to establish that I didn't appreciate getting calls after work hours."

"She called you at home? Where did the conversation take place? Wednesday, I mean."

"I tried to meet with her in one of the conference rooms but they were all in use, so we talked in my office."

"Please tell me you left your office door open."

" Of course. But the conversation did not go well. She implied that I'd made advances toward her, and she accused Corinne of being responsible for me ending things with her, which is ridiculous because there was absolutely nothing to end."

"Ah...Well, that makes sense. Hell hath no fury and all that."

Like a woman scorned. He'd never once thought that old adage would have any place in his life. Adrenaline pumped through his veins as the realization dawned: he would have to tell Corinne everything. Whether it ever became public or not, he didn't want a secret like that between them.

And he knew how she'd feel when she discovered he hadn't told her anything that led up to this nightmare. Shocked. Betrayed. Suspicious.

The same as he would have felt if the tables were turned." (pg 62).

In Deborah Raney's latest novel, Two Roads Home, the second in the Chicory Inn Series, we find Corinne and Jesse Pennington, coming to terms with the long hours that Jesse has had to work traveling for his job, leaving Corinne at home trying to handle three kids as if she were a single mom. It has created a gap that has drove a wedge of sorts between them and now it seems that Jesse's nature to be easy going and friendly was perceived by Michaela, his coworker as something more.

They will now face a battle on two fronts, one dealing with the legal implications of a possible sexual harassment suit against Jesse, and the suspicions that Corinne has about the innocent working relationship and the long hours away from home. Will they have what it takes to succeed at winning both battles, the one for Jesse' job and their marriage?

I received Two Roads Home 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 aside from a free copy of this novel and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This has got to be every married couples worst nightmare. To wonder if your spouse is having an affair at work, especially when faced with long hours at the job and less than favorable conditions at home. To top if off dealing with the implications of a sexual harassment lawsuit at work, when your spouse tries to keep work boundaries intact.

I cringed as I felt myself quite literally in Corinne's shoes because I watched it happen in my own life, and no matter how many times you try to convince yourself nothing is happening, you can't avoid those nagging feelings in the back of your mind. I absolutely LOVE this series and Deborah Raney definitely gets to the heart of these matters in every one she adds to the series. It's the very reason why I don't have to read the premise of what her novels with involve, because I know I will already LOVE them. Another winner for me with an astounding 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. Readers are in for a surprise by getting a sneak peek at Another Way Home coming soon in this series!

For more information about Two Roads Home, Deborah Raney or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Two Roads Home by Deborah Raney

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

To read more reviews on Two Roads Home, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page. 

Summer's List

I can't imagine the pain of losing someone you love. Fortunately for me, I haven't had to deal with it, but watched many go through it. It's not easy, especially when they are your last connection to family, no more exist outside of them and when their gone, you're left all alone. That is what Summer Snow is facing after learning that her Granny is dying of congestive heart failure and only has about six months to live. She makes Summer to promise to take some time off from running her grandmother's bookstore and follow a small list of what she believes Summer gave up to take care of those she has loved in her life from her parents to her grandmother.

She knows it won't take long and has promised to do what she can to be around for Summer when she is finished, but is making no promises as God can call her home at anytime, but she promises to do whatever she can to help. The first item on her list is also one her grandmother requires she must involve in completing the remainder of the items on the list with, her childhood friend, Martin Langtree. She just isn't sure what his status will be like after being apart for twenty years, but after her grandmother tracks down his address she agrees to go and at least ask for his help. What could it hurt?

Yet she finds Martin, dealing with his own issues. His parents have gotten a divorce and departed ways separately leaving Martin and his two brothers Desmond and Ivan to live in their sprawling home with their inheritance but also never to contact them again. While Martin has attempted to live within his means, his two spoiled younger brothers felt the need to never change the lifestyle they were accustomed to, like country club memberships, servants, extravagant spending sprees on unnecessary items for the home and clothing, they come to a realization that all of Desmonds investments have gone horribly wrong and they now need Martin's help and his money or they risk selling their family home. What will they do now?

I received Summer's List by Anita Higman compliments of Litfuse Publicity and River North Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are my own. I love the idea that one of our childhood friends might just be the love of our life, we might have missed growing up simply because we weren't focused on finding love over friendship. Who hasn't had a person in their past that they wonder, what might have happened if things had worked out differently, where would they be now if they had! It's a way to live vicariously through the characters of Martin and Summer who tackle a wonderful list of things I myself might have to do before this life ends as well. Definitely one you want to make sure winds up on this summer's reading list. I would give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about Summer's List, Anita Higman or where you can find out where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Summer's List by Anita Higman

You can find Anita Higman on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Summer's List, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page. 

The Ticket

Some people never realize how difficult it can be growing up and dealing with all the stereotypes in school. From those social group "clicks" to just knowing how to process what teens deal with in school to making that transition from home all while dealing with the changing of hormones and brain development. Harder than it looks and one we don't give them enough credit for.

In Debra Coleman Jeter's coming of age novel, The Ticket, we get a long look at how hard that life is for Tray Dunaway who has to deal with all those peer pressures that come from going to school and being seen as less than worthy in the eyes of not only her classmates but also from her own mother. Being raised in a poor family, her grandmother painstakingly makes all of Tray's clothes which are mocked by those she faces whenever she goes to school. This pushes Tray to become the shy social outcast who prefers to stay by herself whenever possible but longs for a life that everyone seems to have who have more than she does. She desperately wants to fit in and be accepted, but finds those opportunities have been shut off from her.

She longs for the day when she might be able to buy something that would make her feel the way she dreams about and in the meantime, spends those wasted moments looking through a catalog hoping one day soon, she might be able to buy something instead of homemade clothes. Her mother struggles with a deep depression, spending her days stuck in bed and dealing with migraines that only seem to increase whenever Tray possess a question about when things might change, like simply being able to buy a new pair of socks that won't slide down when she wears them, but is met with less than worth responses you would expect from a mother. When her father is given a lottery ticket as a way of thanking him for driving a man into town to purchase his, they aren't prepared the amount of problems that they will have to face when they actually win. Is this the life she dreamed she'd have one day or is this simply a way of introducing a set of problems they never dreamed they would have when the man suddenly wants a share of the winnings!

I received The Ticket by Debra Coleman Jeter compliments of Firefly Southern Fiction, a division of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest opinion. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. The one thing I truly loved about this novel is how it is written from Tray's perspective. How she views her life before the ticket and even afterwards. How she believes money will change things and doesn't realize how greed can destroy much more than poverty can. She dreams of a day when this might happen, and when it does, the reality is a lot different than what she imagines and it might be just what the family needs to learn how to appreciate the riches they never noticed before. I give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and thing this is a great young adult novel for any teen struggling to find their sense of purpose and self worth in the world, when faced with seeing things through a different perspective!

For more information about The Ticket, Debra Coleman Jeter or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Ticket by Debra Coleman Jeter

You can find Debra Coleman Jeter on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on The Ticket, please stop by Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's Book Tour page. 

A Simple Prayer

For some prodigal children who walk away from their family, the desire to return home can be overwhelming. They want to believe that simply going home will be all that is needed, but fear can hold them back. What if they aren't received well? What if they aren't wanted? And sometimes all those "What if's" can hold us back from the truth we need to seek by making an effort in the right direction.

For Aaron Ebersol, that came when he received word that his mother had suffered a stroke. He knew he should have returned much sooner after walking away from his family seventeen years ago. But after not receiving any response to all the letters he wrote, he believed his family had moved on without him. Why else would they not attempt to contact him after all this time? But he knows it's something he must do, since his mother could use the help and he has missed his family more than he cares to admit. Why is going home so hard to do?

In order to make the transition easier to manage, Aaron plans to stay at the Paradise Bed and Breakfast, where he runs into Linda Zook, a girl he knew in school. She was just as shy then as she is now, and he wonders what has been happening in town since he has left. Linda reminds him that she and his mother worked together at the Lancaster Grand Hotel before the stroke, and she never stopped praying for the day when Aaron might come home. She is able to share with Aaron some of the unknowns about the feelings of his mother before he makes that dreaded trip home to see if his fears are valid or simply something that has kept him away for too long, dwelling on all those what if's! But there is no time like the present.

I received A Simple Prayer compliments of Zondervan Publishing 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 wonderful story that reminds me quite a bit of an Amish prodigal son. I can imagine how difficult it would be for Aaron to return home and not have the entire family happy to see him. There is definitely bound to be some animosity between family members and I love that a friendship develops between Linda and Aaron as they both come to terms with the cards they have been dealt in life. It is a story of redemption and hope as well as unconditional love between parents and their children and the true power of forgiveness. This is the 4th book in the Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel Series and well worth every 5 out of 5 stars. There is even a discussion guide at the conclusion of this novel that makes it a perfect choice for book clubs.

For more information about A Simple Prayer, Amy Clipston or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston

You can find Amy Clipston on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews about A Simple Prayer, please visit Zondervan Publishing's website. 

Hearts Made Whole

In 1865, the right of women were still something that was waiting to be resolved. Most men would agree that a woman's place was caring for the home and family and work outside of the home was a man's right. When Caroline Taylor watched in horror as her father plunged beneath the waters of Lake St. Clair during a storm, she never imagined she would have to fight for what she had always known. Her ability to care for the light at Windmill Point as her father had shown her when climbing the stairs to do so caused him so much pain. But it was truly a labor of love and Caroline knew that besides keeping mariners safe, she was also providing a home and security for her younger sisters Tessa and Sarah as well as her two twin brothers. It was all she had ever known and to think about ever leaving was not something she would consider.

Yet that is precisely what Mr. Finick had in mind when he told Caroline that she had one week to find another place to live. No amount of begging would change his mind because he had already hired a war veteran to take her place. A man, who was more suited for the job than she would ever be despite how well she had managed the lighthouse in the months following her fathers death. How would she ever be able to find a place for all of them within a week and how would she care for Sarah who has been in failing health and unable to move?

Ryan Chambers had hurt enough people in his life. The last thing he had ever planned on doing was adding to that growing list. The war had taken more out of him than he could ever have imagined when he was able to convince the doctor to spare removing his arm in order to salvage what was left when a shell removed more than half of it. Feeling less than a man, he lost more jobs than he held and was about to give up hope when the lighthouse keeper job was offered to him. At least the solitude at the lighthouse would offer him solace from all those who stared at his injury whenever he couldn't hide it in time, and had to find the words once again to explain what happened. This was the perfect place for him to find healing.

I received Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House Publishers 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 the second novel in the Beacons of Hope Series, and not having read the first novel, I was hoping I wouldn't be missing much. I wasn't! Jody Hedlund has been creating this series, highlighting famous lighthouses in Michigan and this is just another one to add to the growing collection. I've always shared a love for the life of a lighthouse keeper and believe that lighthouse in general offer a sense of romantic mystery. The lighthouse itself could probably lend quite a few tales of the lives of those that lived and cared for them in the years that they remained in operation. While the characters are fictional, they are based on the lives of real characters that existed and love the way Jody has carefully crafted them into this novel. The chemistry between Caroline and Ryan truly works because each is looking for a way to get back what has been broken inside them. I won't share with you what happens but this is truly an exceptional store of restoration and hope in the midst of the darkest storms and well worth all 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about Hearts Made Whole, Jody Hedlund or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

You can find Jody Hedlund on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Hearts Made Whole, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page. 


Don't miss Jody Hedlund's new book, Hearts Made Whole, a story of loss, forgiveness, hope, and true love set in 1865 Michigan. When Ryan's failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he’s unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Can Caroline forgive the hurting man who costs her the role she loves?

Celebrate the release of Hearts Made Whole by entering to win an Afternoon at the Beach prize pack and RSVPing to Jody's June 23rd author chat party!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole
• A picnic basket set
• A beach bag
• Flip flops
• A beach towel

One second-place winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole
• A lighthouse journal

One third-place winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole
• A lighthouse necklace

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 23rd.Winner will be announced June 23rd at Jody's Facebook party. RSVP here!

The True Spirit of Christmas

I know you might be thinking, it's only June, why are you even reviewing a Christmas book now? Gotta love all those people who make their preparations early in the year and thought why not share this incredible lovely children's book that would make a perfect gift for a young child this Christmas. In fact in our home, one of the first presents our kids would open on Christmas Eve was always a Christmas book and new pajamas. That is the way we spent the anticipated night before Christmas was sharing an exceptional story that outlines what the Christmas Spirit is all about.

In Dorothy Thurgood Manning's book, The True Spirit of Christmas, she introduces us to Maddie, a child who loves Christmas as much as any child can. But in the course of preparing for Christmas, Maddie loses sight on what the Spirit of Christmas is truly about. The only thing she is dreaming about besides visions of sugar plums is the abundance of presents she is promised to get each year. She even has a horrible attitude at school when it comes to making presents for her parents and younger brother, and instead of wrapping them, shoves them under her bed with her dirty socks.

It isn't until she gets a visit from Santa, that Maddie is given a hard look at what Christmas is supposed to be about, the art of giving and not getting. It's about putting those you love before yourself and soon Maddie realizes if she doesn't change, she isn't going to get anything at all.

I received The True Spirit of Christmas by Dorothy Thurgood Manning compliments of 33 Loretta Kids Books and the author herself for an honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation outside of a free copy of the book for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are my own. This is a great book to help children understand it isn't about receiving but in giving, in helping others out and sharing in the joy and love of family during Christmas. The artwork is beautiful and love that the story is told in rhyme which will definitely appeal to a child. The book is short but straight to the point and will undoubtedly be a favorite of your child's each Christmas. I would rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about The True Spirit of Christmas, Dorothy Thurgood Manning or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The True Spirit of Christmas by Dorothy Thurgood Manning

You can pick up a copy at Amazon.com

Fatal Trauma

I can't imagine anything more stressful for a ER doctor than a simple day at work. Everything changes and it truly is never the same day twice. Every patient you get into the Trauma department could be that patients final chance at life, and it all rests in your hands. But what if your typical day at the office was interrupted by an armed gunman who brought you a patient bleeding out. His request, if you don't save him, you all will die one by one. Definitely not what you dreamed would happen when you arrived for work today, but such is the premise behind Richard L. Mabry's latest suspense novel Fatal Trauma.

I have absolutely LOVED every single novel Richard L. Mabry has written because to truly appreciate any medical suspense novel, you have to have a working knowledge of what it takes to be a doctor working in a hospital and the terminology and procedures have to line up correctly to be believable, and thankfully due to being a retired physician, this comes across beautifully in all his novels.

Dr. Mark Baker is attempting to keep a handle on things when the armed man holds a gun, to ER nurse, Kelly Atkinson's head. Unless they can save the unconscious man in the wheelchair, more people will die beginning with Kelly. Just how does someone save a man who clearly appears to be dead while waiting for the possibility of help to arrive? How do you distract an armed gunman who seems to be drug induced? Will there be a possible future for Mark and Kelly if they can find a way out of what has walked into their ER tonight? You'll have to pick this one up to find out!

I received Fatal Trauma by Richard L. Mabry M.D. compliments of Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review outside the complimentary copy of the novel and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This novel is definitely adrenaline filled. From the first chapter, readers are thrust into a situation one hopes never happens in real life and as the body count begins to rise, you wonder how it will all turn out. My favorite part about this novel is the authentic medical descriptions that move the story along. You can tell its genuine because of the author's background in the medical field and for me, this is why I love any of Richard L.Mabry's novels. He takes you someplace you could have never imagined happening to people in the medical field, but there is always that possibility. For me, this one rocks the suspense at a full 5 out of 5 stars! Readers even get a sneak peek at the next novel, Miracle Drug coming out soon. A reader's discussion guide is also included.

For more information about Fatal Trauma, Richard L.Mabry MD or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Fatal Trauma by Richard L. Mabry MD 

You can find Richard L. Mabry on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on Fatal Trauma, please visit the Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour page.


Can Mark find out who the shooter is before he becomes the next victim? You won't want to miss the suspense in Richard Mabry's new book, Fatal Trauma. Facing an adversary whose desires are dark and efforts are ruthless, Mark finds himself under suspicion as a killer, yet still a potential victim. When he turns to his high school sweetheart, attorney Gwen Woodruff, for help, Kelly helplessly looks on, as she hides her own feelings for the good doctor.

Richard is celebrating the release of Fatal Trauma by giving away The Perfect Prescription Prize Pack!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $25 cash card
• A copy of Fatal Trauma
• A bag of coffee (because caffeine can cure a lot)
• A medical-inspired coffee mug
• Syringe pens
• A box of medical-inspired cookies (because sugar can cure what caffeine doesn't)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 20th. The winner will be announced June 22nd on Richard's blog.

The Midwifes Tale

I can't imagine living back in the past, where medical procedures were simply based a lot of times on trial and error. Some of them quite barbaric it makes you wonder how they truly thought people would get better by allowing them to be put through those procedures believing it was for their benefit. That is just the premise behind Delia Parr's latest novel The Midwife's Tale, the first book in the At Home in Trinity series set in the 1830's in Pennsylvania.

Martha Cade is struggling to coming to terms with being from a long line of midwives in her family and it seems with the advancement in medical education and schooling, it appears as if her profession is yielding to the up and coming doctors graduating from medical school. However for now, she is the one most preferred by the women who are pregnant and looking for someone truly experienced in the art of childbirth and the care that follows.

Being from a small town like Trinity has some advantages, but when things go wrong in your life, you become the fodder for the gossip in town. When Martha's daughter, Victoria, runs away from home at 17, to join a traveling theater troupe, she isn't prepared to answer the questions the town will whisper whenever she walks by. She can only trust God will bring her home in His timing and will care for her as long as she remains away. She had tried searching for her for well over three months, but now she must return to Trinity to help care for the women who have come to depend on her. She just never imagined the new town doctor would step in and take what remaining clients she did have away and now it will take all she can do to earn their trust back especially when those newest advances in medicine are harming patients more than helping them.

I received The Midwife's Tale by Delia Parr 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 love that Martha's character has a true love for what the women in her life have taught her in regards to herbal medicine and treatments. I believe that might be what is truly missing in our world today and there is a lot of validity to this being applied in this novel. Medicine was just being to evolve and people truly believed that what they were learning from school was beneficial. Just goes to show you that medicine is just a lot about trial and error and unfortunately some of those procedures killed more people than they helped like blood letting. I would rate this novel a 4.5 out of 5 stars based on my personal love for herbal medicines and treatments that have long since been forgotten.

For more information about The Midwife's Tale, Delia Parr or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Midwife's Tale by Delia Parr

You can find Delia Parr on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Midwife's Tale, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's book tour page. 

Someday Home

None of us ever thinks that when we arrive at the later stages of our life, that the man we married might not be with us. Through death or simply a change of plans, we never imagine that we might face our final days alone. Sure family and friends might still be close by, but the thought of sharing a home alone is a bit more than we might want in our life. Who will we share those quiet moments of the night with, when everyone else has gone home?

This is the premise facing Lynn Lundberg, a very busy woman who has managed not only to raise quite a few children and seen them begin their own families, but also still helps keeps the books of the families plumbing business. Her husband was unexpectedly taken from her without warning and now struggles to come to terms with her feelings of anger towards God and her husband. Perhaps if he would have been more dililgent about taking better care of himself, they might have caught the aneurism before it took his life. Grandchildren abound each afternoon as she helps them bake cookies and host family dinners, but when they all head back home, the house is simply a reminder of what her life looks like. Alone and empty of purpose. They have suggested that she simply sell the large log home on the lake and opt for something smaller, but she simply can't give up the notion, she is meant to stay here.

When she is given the idea of sharing her home with other women who don't want to go it alone in the later years, she believes if might just be the perfect solution. But she will only trust that God will bring just the right people to her for this to work, and within weeks, she finds Angela Bishop, a truly successful woman who has tried for years to be the perfect wife or the appearance of one according to her husband, but will never get it right. Now it seems on the eve of their twenty-fifth anniversary, he drops the bombshell that he is trading up to a new model and has filed for divorce.

Judith Rutherford, has spent her entire life caring for her ailing and aging parents believing his promise that if she cares for them, she will be well cared for and compensated when they are gone. Unfortunately like most women, Judith believed that promise and dedicated her life to a man who never appreciated all she had to offer and when he passed away, left her with nothing and a feeling she would never amount to anything.  Is it possible for these three very different women to find a common bond that will allow them all to share not only a home, but very different paths for their future?

I received Someday Home by Lauraine Snelling compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review of this novel and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. I absolutely LOVED this story of three incredibly wonderful women who feel defined by the life of their past and thus their self worth follows when things fall apart in their lives. It teaches us that we must be willing to pick up the pieces and begin to realize that a new chapter is evolving in our lives that we must embrace as the new normal and face the challenges together. This is such a poignant novel of hope, faith and love found in the bounds of what these three will develop as they explore what God has planned for them in the future, one to prosper and not harm them, but to give them a future and a new hope. Well worth every single 5 out of 5 stars and would highly recommend this one for your summer reading list!

For more information about Someday Home, Lauraine Snelling or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Someday Home by Lauraine Snelling

You can find Lauraine Snelling on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Someday Home, please visit Faith Words' website. 

Old Fashioned DVD Movie Review

The movie Old Fashioned debuted in theaters during Valentine's day this year at the same time as Fifty Shades of Grey. Coincidence, I don't think so. They are polar opposites and Old Fashioned, it one movie that you will want everyone who is considering dating to watch. It outlines exactly the premise behind 1 Corinthians 13 about love. What it is and what it isn't.

After watching this even my 16-year-old daughter who is considering dating was floored and moved by the movie. I only wish I had watched it during my teens but then again it wasn't available at that time.

Clay Walsh is a former frat boy who has reconsidered the ways of his past and is seeking to start over in the way he views women but in how he handles himself when it comes to dating and even the roles men and women play in the world today. Clay has theories that he holds true to, one of them being that he is never alone with a woman inside a home or apartment. No ifs, ands or buts! He meets Amber Hewson who is looking to rent an apartment, just perfect because he has one for rent, directly above the Antiques Store he runs. She is someone who is running from her past as well, but not in the same regards as Clay is.

Amber only moves when she has enough money saved in the jar she keeps on top of her refrigerator, a sign that it is time to move on. Unfortunately for her, she didn't move quick enough with the last guy she was with who broke her wrist for wearing nail polish. As she and Clay come to an understanding of simply trying to be friends, they have to come to terms with a past neither of them wants to revisit but necessary if there is any hope for a future with the two. How it ends up will require a box of tissues but so worth it in the end.

I received Old Fashioned Movie compliments of Propeller LLC and Pure Flix for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. The current running time on this DVD is 115 minutes and is suitable for family members 13+ due to the nature of subject matter in the video. This is such an incredible movie to watch with your teens who are considering dating because it opens up a conversation about what it means to date and to wait for just the right person. Ideas of respect and how that is important between men and women is conveyed as well. It highlights the nature of chivalry in light of what the world is promoting today and how the natural progression of love is supposed to take place and how issues with our past in regards to dating and sex can impact our futures. Well worth every 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Old Fashioned Movie, Pure Flix Entertainment, or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

Old Fashioned Movie DVD from Pure Flix Entertainment

You can find Old Fashioned on Facebook to stay up to date on all the inspiration that helps keep men and women pure for marriage.

Click here to order a copy of this movie on Christianbook.com.

Stay tuned, there is going to be an incredible giveaway coming on June 30th you won't want to miss!!!

Empire's End

Okay, I must first open this review with a couple of disclaimers and all of which are my own personal opinion which you can take with a grain of salt if you wish, but when I search for a book to purchase, I often sort through the reviews, the good and the bad to help decide if I really want to pick it up and read it, however if it is by an author I love, I will pick it up regardless.

Since I've been a huge fan of biblical fiction, I gravitate towards that whenever possible. I love how some creative authors will take what the Bible story is and add to it, provide filler in order to help us fully understand the role this person may be played in the context we read about them in the Bible. I also understand this will not be your typical re-telling of a Bible story and some liberties will be taken.

Second, I've been a huge fan of Jerry B. Jenkins since his co-authorship of the Left Behind series and countless others, so I naturally wanted to pick this one up. That being said, I was a bit disappointed by his latest novel Empire's End, the story about the life of Paul the Apostle or Saul of Tarsus as he was formerly known. I had thought the television series A.D. was a bit disappointing by their own interpretation of events after the death and resurrection of Jesus, so I was hoping for a bit more than what I found.

The novel opens as a journal-like text from Saul/Paul as he conveys his story of his journey apart from what we gain from the Bible. It picks up with a brief overview of Saul's initial conquest as persecutor of Jesus follower's beginning with Stephen, and his subsequent conversion on the Damascus Road where he lost his eyesight and discovered Jesus in a vision. The majority of the book tells about his journey after being lowered down the wall of Damascus as those there sought his arrest for being a follower of the Way, or Jesus Christ. He flees on a horse that is spiritually led across the desert by interaction from a conversation with God to arrive at a Bedouin camp in the Arabian desert when he encounters the family of the very man he persecuted.

This is where the story is a bit confusing for me, because it deviates from the Bible in such a manner that a believer in Christ would find this one a little hard to swallow. (Sorry Mr. Jenkins, but I truly LOVED all your other novels). To think that perhaps Paul had come to terms with the widow of Stephen and spent time there while awaiting God's next instruction, was hard to come to terms with. I would have preferred if the story stuck to the role of Saul/Paul's life from the Bible instead of deviating so much from the original. It truly wasn't what I was hoping for, nor what I found. in fact more than half the book was about this spiritual journey of Paul's as he studied under the guidance of morning inspirations and visions of God where he was staying.

I understand that this is strictly a fictional story and was hoping for a bit more knowing how much Jerry Jenkins follows the Bible in past novels but in my opinion this was not the case here. There is no record this didn't happen in Paul's life, but then again, there is no record it did either if we are to take the Bible at its face value. I think that is perhaps what has disappointed so many readers of this book was the expectation it would follow some road map of Paul's life from the Bible with some filler added in to make it seem more alive. For me, this one didn't hit home.

I received Empire's End by Jerry B. Jenkins compliments of Worthy Publishing and Icon Media Group for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions contained here are strictly my own and others might feel quite differently about this novel over what I did. I would rate this one a 3 out of 5 stars. The book I, Saul was the precursor for this novel.

For more information about Empire's End, Jerry B. Jenkins or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Empire's End by Jerry B. Jenkins

You can find Jerry B. Jenkins on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

You can read more reviews on Empire's End by visiting Worthy Publishing's website.

A Heart's Betrayal

Life has finally settled on the frontier for our favorite characters Sarah and Rand. They are now anticipating their first child amid the rising conflicts with the Indians outside of Fort Laramie. Emmie Croftner has just discovered that the man she is recently grieving as her husband was not the man she thought. She discovers in days after his funeral that he was married to another woman and had a child. Since their marriage wouldn't be viewed as valid, the holdings she assumed would be hers are now being handed to his first wife and child.

With just 30 days left, she hopes she can locate her brothers Ben and Labe but isn't quite sure where they might be. She knows that Ben has always been a bit of a schemer and has tried in vain to marry Sarah. With nothing to her name, the only person she can think to stay with might be Sarah if she will look past her as being Ben's sister. Sarah is Emmie's only hope. Without her, she doesn't know what she will do if the town learns of her soiled reputation of not being legally married to the man who was going to be her future.

Leaving Walsh, Indiana behind, she isn't quite prepared for what she finds out west at Fort Laramie. This is her first encounter with Indians and with eligible young soldiers who are looking for someone to marry. But Emmie isn't looking for love any more. She is fortunate when Sarah is excited to see her and loves the idea of her staying with them to help her with preparations for the upcoming birth of their child. But little does Emmie know she is carrying a far worse secret than anyone could ever imagine.

I received A Heart's Betrayal by Colleen Coble compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson Publishers 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 the 4th book in the Journey of the Heart Series, written by Colleen Coble during the time she spent grieving the death of her own brother and is one of the first series she ever wrote. It has been simply wonderful reviewing these as they are being released in small bite size pieces a month at time again. I absolutely love Emmie's story of hope and looking for a way to begin again. However that isn't going to be easy once readers discover Emmie's secret. That is just like life in reality, it doesn't come wrapped up in a pretty little package! For me, this one is my favorite so far and well deserved of 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about A Heart's Betrayal, Colleen Coble, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

A Heart's Betrayal by Colleen Coble

You can find Colleen Coble on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on A Heart's Betrayal, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.


Emmie finds shelter in the arms of a soldier in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, but will her big secret drive them apart? Find out in book four, A Heart's Betrayal, of Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart series. Suddenly displaced, powerless, and ashamed, Emmie can’t stay in Wabash, Indiana. She makes a hopeful start for Fort Laramie to find her friend Sarah Montgomery and a new beginning. But when she arrives, she discovers she’s pregnant—and without a husband. The new start she’d hoped for slips from her fingers.

Melt into summer with a new giveaway from Colleen: four books (books one–four in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series) and a box of chocolates to pair with your new books!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of A Heart's Betrayal
• A box of Colleen's favorite chocolate truffles from DeBrand Fine Chocolates
• A copy of A Heart's Disguise
• A copy of A Heart's Obsession
• A copy of A Heart's Danger

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 30th. Winner will be announced July 1st on Colleen's website.

Escape From Sudan

I always love to read debut author's books because I know how important it is for people to know that there are some amazing books out there. I am truly delighted to share with you Amanda DiCianni's children's book, Escape From Sudan. At just 122 pages, she shares the story of a young Sudanese boy Elijah Bwoko and what his life is like living in Sudan along with his best friend Thomas.

Life is typical for two boys who love to play soccer, but theirs isn't your typical soccer ball. It is made of rocks surrounded by rags. When they are playing, they are helping around their village with cooking of local foods like maize and asida, that tasted like rice. It was what they grew behind their hut. Since dealing with the death of his mom, Elijah now lives with his sisters Anna and Reiley and they have adopted Thomas into their household as well.

Most of their time is spent trying to avoid the soldiers or NIF or National Islamic Front, who took the people they found and sold them into slaves or abeeds. The boys would either become soldiers and go to war against their own people or sold into slavery as well. Their goal was to remain hidden and prevent that from happening to anyone in their village. But one day when they were out swimming, they returned to find their village had burned to the ground and Elijah's sisters had been taken by the NIF. Now they have to race against time to find them before they are sold and never seen again.

I received Escape From Sudan by Amanda DiCianni compliments of the author for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions found here are strictly my own. This would be an exceptional book for a teen looking at what life is like in the Sudan.Their cultures are very different from ours and showcases how the slavery trade is still happening in parts of Africa. It is far from the life many believe Sudanese children face and a great opportunity to learn about another place and the Sudanese people. I would rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and definitely will be passing this one along to my niece who shares a love of reading like I do to enjoy.

For more information about Escape From Sudan, Amanda DiCianni, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Escape From Sudan by Amanda DiCianni

You can find Tapestry Productions on Facebook to stay up to date on all their latest books.

London Tides

Life can take some unexpected turns. The thing we think we want most in the world, can be the one thing we simply walk away from. Grace Brennan had what some might call a picture perfect life as a photojournalist that found herself more and more in the midst of conflict. Her love life with Ian MacDonald was everything she had hoped for and more - until the day she walked away without a word, simply leaving behind her engagement ring and move forward to get lost in her career.

Now years later she comes back to find that Ian is still living in London. He hasn't moved on and never remarried. She is pulled by the notion that there might still be something there, but she can't find a way to connect with him again. Just how do you explain walking away from the man you loved to follow a career you loved perhaps even more? They had agreed to marry and give up their careers for love, but Grace had a change of heart.

With the loss of a colleague, she is still trying to find a way to absolve her guilt with not being able to save him as they found themselves in the midst of a war when they took fire. Now the tattoo she has on her arm will be a reminder than some choices in life carry consequences that go far beyond what we could ever imagine and there simply is no way of going back. If only she could find her way back into Ian's heart again, but is that something he is willing to take another chance on? Only time will tell.

I received London Tides by Carla Laureano compliments of David C. Cook Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review outside of my complimentary copy of this novel. This is the second novel in the MacDonald Family Trilogy, and I am sorry I did not read the first novel in this series. Yet I was able to perfectly understand the conflict that happens between Grace and Ian as they author took her time, establishing their backstory over the first few chapters. I love the parallel storylines of their careers and how each of them felt at some point their careers defined who they were until they really understood that that was just an illusion. The theme of home and safety are what motivates Grace and Ian in different ways and that comes to fulfillment by the close of this novel. There are some discussion questions at the conclusion of this novel that are perfect for book clubs. Overall I'd rate this one a 4 out 5.

For more information about London Tides, Carla Laureano, or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

London Tides by Carla Laureano 

You can find Carla Laureano on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on London Tides, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's Book Tour page.

The Father's Love - DVD Review

Sometimes when we want love so badly, we are willing to take it in the most unlikely of places. Far too often in places we wouldn't recommend a friend to do it, but often times willing to accept less than for ourselves, just to have it.

As a young girl, Sarah struggled to find a way to fill the hurt in her own life when her father failed her and her mother in being loyal to his family. Now as she has grown she is looking for it in all kinds of places, from work, to partying in her free time with friends, and even dating multiple men at the same time, in a way to fill the void in her own life. Her father continues to write her letters, but she refuses to open a single one, banishing the letters to a growing pile, much like she feels he had done to her.

When just the right man shows up, Sarah believes she has finally found the right one. He offers her everything under the sun. Wonderfully romantic dates, gifts and words of love and affirmation, even offering to share a great apartment in New York with her. But soon afterwards the phone calls from Reese grow in distance, always having to work, always being called out of town to help his family, and soon Sarah discovers that the love Reese has for her isn't the same definition she has.

I received The Father's Love by Word Films compliments of Word Films and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review outside the complimentary copy of the DVD. The opinions contained here are strictly my own. This movie has a great message but due to the subject matter involved, I wouldn't recommend this for the entire family even though the Dove Foundation has offered a review. It truly shows us what unconditional love looks like and how we can achieve that through God and through His Word found in the Bible and not from any man. It shows the power of God's love and how it has the ability to heal wounds we would never imagine possible and just how wonderful forgiveness can truly be. Well worth 4.5 out of 5 stars for this reviewer.

For more information about The Father's Love, Word Films or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

The Father's Love by Word Films

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

To see what other movies are available please visit Word Film's website. 

Why Would Jesus Come Back?

When you look at the state of the world around us, makes you wonder why Jesus would want to come back home. Kinda like a parent who returns home from a trip only to find their kids had one heck of a party while they were gone and left the home a complete mess. Isn't that what Jesus is likely to find when He comes back. What have we done with His place, since He has been gone and more to the point, why would He ever want to come back here?

Yet when you tell people Jesus is coming back, you will generally get one of two likely replies. (1) people will be happy and look forward to it, or (2) they aren't the slightest bit happy. Kinda like the teen who finds out their parents are suddenly coming home, much earlier than they expected and they haven't had time to fix things so they won't get in trouble.

But one thing is certain, because for those of us that believe in the Bible, we know that the promises made in it are 100% accurate and either have come true or will come true, simply because it hasn't happened yet.

Acts 1:7-11 ~ "He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking up intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside the. "Men of Gailee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (NIV).

This event obviously has happened yet, but the signs of the end times are being staged. So why does Jesus have to come back at all?

1. Political reasons. ~ Deuteronomy 32:8 ~ "When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided up all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel. " (NIV).

God has established the boundaries of nations. He gives them leaders as they are needed. There is no one in any form of government that will solve the issues the world is facing.

Matthew 24:3-7 ~ "As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered, "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, "I am the Christ,: and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom."(NIV).

The alignment of nations that will band together will need to happen. This is already happening with the United States of Europe or US of E since 1991. We know a great political leader will rise up as the coming anti-Christ. He will come in the place of Christ and seem to solve all the world's problems and reign over the ancient empires.

2. Societal Events ~ social ills and trends in society.

We know in the last days there will be a since of general lawlessness.

Matthew 24:10-12 ~ "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." (NIV).

We already see this happening in our cities and towns. Where people are suffering and yet no one is moved to do anything to help them. One woman veered off the road in Washington and many people saw her. Yet she remained in her car for over 8 days before anyone found her. She later died from her injuries. Why? Because people are growing cold to what is happening all around and they have lost the ability to care about people anymore.

We will see an increase in racial divisions.

There are simply too many examples to what we are seeing as a growing trend in racial divisions. In the Greek when the Bible speaks of 'kingdoms against kingdoms" it is actually the world ethnos, which is where we get the word ethnic from. Meaning ethnic groups will fight against ethnic groups. We fail to understand that we all bleed the same color. We need to preach the gospel and let God's Word speak for itself not as representatives like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton continue to pollute what God's Word has to say. We should be creating unity not division among the culture and ethnic groups. It is becoming a wedge in our society to create division. God is the biggest, when our lives our a mess.

There will be a rise in abhorrent sexuality.

This means there will be clear violations in the laws of nature, especially when it comes to sexual issues. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to clearly spell out that abhorrent sexuality among the same genders destroys the species. Two women can not produce off spring so the species will die, just like two men cannot produce offspring so they too will die off. Only with the increase in what is now acceptable, from television programming, movies, social media and more, is creating the message that clearly spells out, "Well that is just the way it is now."

Jesus stated that before He returns that the world will be like it was in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah and in the days of Noah:

Luke 17:26-30 ~ "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating , drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed." (NIV).

There will be those who refuse to believe.

2 Peter 3:3-7 ~ "First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everyone goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that times was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (NIV).

We are warned of what we need to be doing now. Not doing the things of the world, but looking into the Bible for the standards of lives we should be living.

2 Peter 3:11 ~ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming."(NIV).

As we see the signs begin to grow in intensity and in frequency, know this. Jesus is coming back. Will you be ready when He does?