Sully: The Untold Story Behind the Miracle on the Hudson

Sometimes in own lives, we have the distinct privilege of seeing a miracle in our life, yet on January 15, 2009, 155 people on US Airways flight 1549 and the world watched as one man saved the lives of everyone on board when a flock of birds took out both engines on the plane and forced Captain "Sully" Sullenberger to make a decision to ditch the plane in the Hudson River. It couldn't have been a more text book crash landing and one that saved the lives of everyone on board the plane.

But what lingers and most don't know is that the actions that should have made Sullenberger a hero, caused his actions to be scrutinized by the NTSB and the airlines because they all believed he could have saved the plane simply by returning to the nearest available airport and instead cost the airlines millions in losses. This was the basis for the Warner Bros movie that starred Tom Hanks as Sully Sullenberger and details just how miraculous a seasoned pilots split second decision truly was.

This just isn't a book about the event of that day, but what the media and others failed to show the world. It highlights the background of Sullenberger's military service and shows how his ethical standards to do what is right proved right despite all the flight tests to prove him wrong. It shows you that despite what people might think, there are still values worth fighting for in this world. Even if it means the odds are against you and you might have to stand alone to do it. I love the backstory to Sullenberger's life the best and showcases why he was just doing what he had been trained to do, and why being declared a hero in the eyes of the world was hard for him to understand and come to terms with.

 I received Sully: The Untold Story Behind the Miracle on the Hudson by Chelsey B. "Sully: Sullenberger III and Jeffrey Zaslow compliments of William Morrow Publishers, a division of Harper Collins Publishers. This book includes actual photos from the plane crash on the Hudson River as well as personal photos of Sullenberger in his earlier life growing up and becoming a future pilot. This is a personal memoir of one man's life that showed that God was saving him for a special purpose that would happen many years later but one that He had orchestrated all along. I easily give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Sully: The Untold Story Behind the Miracle on the Hudson, Chelsey B Sully Sullenberger, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Sully: The Untold Story Behind the Miracle on the Hudson by Chelsey B "Sully" Sullenberger and Jeff Zaslow

You can find Chelsey B. "Sully" Sullenberger on Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest information.

To read more reviews on Sully: The Untold Story Behind the Miracle on the Hudson, please visit William Morrow's website. 

The Cherished Quilt

Forgiveness is perhaps the hardest thing for any of us to do. It might even be easier to forgive others rather than ourselves but Christopher Hostettler can't seem to let go of the fact he feels he had a hand in the death of his younger brother Gabriel. That fact only seems to be driven home by his father who made it perfectly clear at the graveside that Christopher was responsible. Now it seems besides never being able to measure up to the demands of his father to take part in the family horse training business, he leaves home to work for his uncle in Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania in his leather shop. Perhaps he can find a way to start a new future for himself and find forgiveness for his role in his brother's death.

Emily Fisher always looks out for others over her own needs and when she meets Christopher for the first time at her father and uncle's harness shop, she wonders what could she offer to help him break down the wall he clearly wants to keep around himself. While trying not to take it personally when he refuses to acknowledge anything she does, she vows to at least ensure the Chris feels valued and wanted by their community while trying to be a friend to him.

However when Chris and Emily grow too close to one another in their personal feelings, Chris' past comes back to haunt him and steal away the only hope for a future not only for himself, but for Emily as well. It seems that Chris' chance at happiness will forever elude him unless he finds a way to go back and resolve the issues in his family and perhaps figure out a way to find God in the process. But since he has run from everything else in his life, will he run from Emily as well?

I received The Cherished Quilt by Amy Clipston compliments of Zondervan Publishers and Thomas Nelson. I am so glad I picked this novel and now will go back and read the previous two in the Amish Heirloom series, The Forgotten Recipe and the The Courtship Basket before The Beloved Hope Chest comes out soon. I really love how the relationship build between Emily and Chris and have found that forgiveness in our own lives is often times the hardest thing for us to accept, believing we are meant to be punished somehow and no longer deserve happiness in our own life. The whole concept behind the Log Cabin that Emily makes for Chris is something to inspire me to pick back up quilting again and renew my passion for creativity in doing so. This novel was well worth all 5 out of 5 stars! There are even Discussion Questions included that are great for book clubs!

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

The Cherished Quilt by Amy Clipston

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

To read more reviews on The Cherished Quilt, please visit Zondervan Publisher's website. 

The Angel of Forest Hill

Words.

They can cut to the core of who you are, even if they aren't true. We tend to focus on the negative ones instead of the positive things people say about us. If we don't stop it, it will force us to put up a wall between ourselves and the people we love in an effort to not be hurt by those who love us the most.

At least that was what Rose Kurtz believed. When the offer to leave her home and tend to an Amish family in a small community who needed someone to care for their children, Rose was offered up. Her community and family never dreamed it would be forever, but for Rose it was a chance to make a name for herself against what her mother and father said to her. That she never was good enough for anything including finding love. She was better off tending to her parents farm and household, caring for her 11 brothers than finding love anywhere else.

So when the opportunity came, Rose went. She never imagined she would walk into a home on the night the wife and mother died after childbirth. Even after a few weeks she imagined going home to a life she didn't want to be a part of. Here at least in the Dienner home, caring for Joel, and his three children, she felt she had a sense of purpose. However when Joel and his father came up with a plan for Rose to remain in the home, she never imagined marriage as a contractual agreement to care for his children would be the one she dreamed of. At least it prevented her from having to go home to a life she hated, and here she could raise and care for Joel's children as if she was their mother.

But when another widow shows us and garners Joel's attention, Rose believes that the feelings she had been developing for him is just another sign she isn't supposed to have a future. She wonders if there is hope for her at all and if love is just something for others but not for her. After 4 years of marriage with Joel, what did she expect? That he would honestly develop feelings for her?

I received The Angel of Forest Hill by Cindy Woodsmall compliments of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers. This is such a wonderful feel good Christmasy novel that reminds us all what it means to feel loved by those in our lives. I could relate to Rose's character the most because I dealt with the same self esteem issues growing up, wondering if anyone could love me. The best part is how Joel and Rose work on building their ability to communicate around the walls they put up to protect themselves and realize while they were keeping people from hurting them, they were also keeping themselves from the love they needed and deserved. There are also some amazing recipes tucked in the conclusion of this wonderful novel and well worth a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about The Angel of Forest Hill, Cindy Woodsmall or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Angel of Forest Hill by Cindy Woodsmall

You can find Cindy Woodsmall on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Angel of Forest Hill, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page. 

The Fire By Night

When we think of war survivors you might think of the Holocaust victims or even our war veterans from every war you could imagine, but often we overlook the women who served as nurses during any of the wars, especially WWII. In the debut novel by Teresa Messineo, she highlights the lives of two very important nurses who gave up everything to serve their country in one of the longest wars in history. Spending seven years in research, she wanted the lives of her fictional characters to be believable but also to transport the reader right into the heart of where she placed them. I personally feel, she has done that and more.

For Jo McMahon, she would find herself left behind as the surplus trucks pulled out of France taking the supplies, the nurses and most of the wounded men with them as she was instructed to wait behind with six patients for the trucks to return. She would need to do whatever it took to ensure that her patients survived and she managed to accomplish that and more, even when she learned that everyone who evacuated that night all died in a bombing run. No one remained alive. She has been instructed by the captain that she will need to do whatever she can until they can rescued even if it means going without food while their supplies continue to dwindle to nothing. Her only hope is believing that one day the war might end and she might get a chance to leave this muddy, unsanitary hell hole she now calls home and that she will do anything it takes to ensure that all of her sic patients survived against the odds against them.

Kay Elliot, was a fellow nurse to Jo and the two worked together until the war separated them. Now a POW living in an internment camp known as Santo Tomas where she doesn't know if she will live another day under the scrutiny of the Japanese soldiers. Little by little she does what she can for the women, children and injured men who occupy the tunnel like existence while dreaming of a time when she found and lost love in Pearl Harbor. She often gave Jo a hard time because of her idyllic paradise setting and how wonderful her life was going. Until December 7th, when everything was suddenly ripped apart and forever changed. She now witnesses the greatest atrocities to mankind as she watches her captors starve them day by day while disease and sanitary conditions claim even more lives. Now Kay wonders if she will ever see her friend Jo again and just who got the better of the two jobs as nurses in the war.

I received The Fire By Night by Teresa Messineo compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers. I am so glad I read this novel and really pushed to get a copy of it. It was perhaps for me, the most realistic novel of what life was life for the American nurses who found themselves serving along the front lines during WWII. You never really considered how difficult life was for them, not only by their fellow male service men, but being killed, injured or taken as a POW during WWII. I found myself relating to the life of Jo McMahon the most and often wondered while reading this, if I too, would have enlisted as a nurse during the war to help where it was most needed. To hold the hand of a dying man knowing somewhere back home, he was a son, a husband, or a brother of someone who would never get the chance to say goodbye to them. While the novel does contain profanity along the lines of the context of the war, it isn't enough to distract you from the novel's purpose and that is to take you into the heart of what war was like for nurses during the war, and for that I give this a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about The Fire By Night, Teresa Messineo, or where you can preorder a copy of this novel today which is due out in January of 2017, please click on the links below:

The Fire By Night by Teresa Messineo

You can find Teresa Messineo on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Fire By Night, please visit William Morrow's website.

Scripture Doodle and Scripture Doodle: God's Promises

I've been wanting to dive deeper into the Scriptures after going through my Bible now for a third time. Even though I find new meaning each time, I revisit those familiar books I wanted more in my personal study and devotions. Now there is a great way to do just that, thanks to April Knight, author of Scripture Doodles and Scripture Doodles: God's Promises. These beautiful books incorporate a deeper study into the promises we find in the Bible along with some colorful coloring to accompany your personal or small group studies. Each of these books incorporates a six-week devotional experience for the reader through your own individual creative expressions with God.

There are enough exercises to do one per day for six weeks with a few bonuses at the end, but you can work at your own pace or with a small group Bible study meeting one a week. It is intended to be progressive, so you might want to follow the books in chronological order, but you might want to jump around to whatever inspires you or for a specific Bible Book study you might be working on. There are no rules and the only way to do it wrong is simply to not do it at all.

Some things you need to have on hand when completing either book is a Bible, a sharp pencil or two any color, pencil sharpener, a large eraser, colored pencils or your media of choice, pastels, ruled notebook paper (for lettering practice) and some blank index cards. The books come with some great tips to get you started. Each exercise begins with a Bible verse and proceeds into a creative worship activity. Don't worry about trying to be perfect, just go with what creativeness you feel at the time and let God inspire you. The books also encourage you to share your creations with others at @scripturedoodle or #scripturedoodle.

 I received Scripture Doodle and Scripture Doodle: God's Promises by April Knight compliments of David C Cook Publishers and Litfuse Publicity. For me, these books have allowed me not only to focus on specific Scriptures in the exercises but to remember these verses better, something I have been struggling with more as I get older. Now I can create something truly beautiful while I work on these each day. I would love to get a group together to work on them over the duration of a year and share not only our own artistic creations but also to see what God does in each of our lives along the way. I would easily give these books a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Scripture Doodle and Scripture Doodle: God's Promises, April Knight or where you can pick these books up today, please click on the links below:

Scripture Doodle and Scripture Doodle: God's Promises by April Knight

You can find April Knight on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on Scripture Doodle or Scripture Doodle: God's Promises, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page. 

Waiting for Wonder

Waiting.

No one that I know of like to wait for anything.

Even in our prayers waiting on the answer, seems like the hardest thing to do. Perhaps it is because we aren't sure of what the answer will be, or when that answer might even come. There have been some who have prayed and have their prayer answered years from the day they prayed and others have gotten the answer to their prayer on the other side of this life. So how does one learn to be patient in the waiting? How can we maintain our faith, knowing God is working it out on His end and on His timeline, which is not the same as ours?

Marlo Schalesky has written a wonderful book, Waiting for Wonder: Learning to Live on God's Timeline and the best way to describe this book is half Biblical fiction in a sense and Christian self help using Scriptures from the Bible to help us what we can do in the waiting. Using a character from the Bible, that I have to be honest, I glazed over without really considering her in a better light and digging deeper to see if there might be some spiritual treasure I overlooked. Marlo uses the life of Sarai who later became Sarah which all of us are familiar with. She was Abram's wife who was promised by God that her descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky, yet in her old age, she failed to conceive.

I even failed to understand on how this was something as a failure in those times when a woman could not conceive and in most cases was merely property for a man with the sole purpose for procreating and having a family to care on the family legacy. Poor Sarai couldn't do any of that even though Abram had been told that God was going to bless Sarai with off-spring. So how long did Sarai have to wait? Was it just a few days, a couple of weeks, months or even years for that miracle to happen? What did she do while she was waiting? Maintain her faith in God's promises or did she take matters into her own hands when she thought God forgot about her?

Using what might have been an extended portion of what the Bible alludes to using what we know historically of women from that time in history, Marlo Schalesky gives us peeks at what Sarai might have had to deal with in her interactions with other women, how her husband might have viewed her, and even the secrets they both kept when Abram and Sarai went to Egypt and lied to Pharoah to save Abram's own skin.

Is there something we might glean from this story of Sarai, something we might learn in our own season of endless waiting like she did? Yes, there is and this book is a wonderful way to take the lessons of Sarai and teach us how to wait while God is working in our lives despite how long it might take. This would be perfect for a small woman's Bible Study to work on a chapter of this book each week. I know for me, it greatly increased my admiration that God has a purpose in the very people we meet in the Bible no matter how much or little is mentioned of them and has caused me to dig deeper in my own study. I love the duality of the way this book is written and will be referencing this one often as I find sometimes waiting can be the hardest thing in my own walk of faith, and for this reason I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. I received Waiting for Wonder by Marlo Schalesky compliments of Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity.

For more information about Waiting for Wonder, Marlo Schalesky or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Waiting for Wonder by Marlo Schalesky

You can find Marlo Schalesky on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on Waiting for Wonder, please visit Litfuse Publicity's book tour page.


Because God’s timing is so rarely our own and we lose the wonder in the waiting of life, desperation strikes, plans backfire, and we begin to wonder why God does not fill the emptiness. Be encouraged to find strength and hope in Marlo Schalesky's new book, Waiting for Wonder. Journey into the heart of God where you will wrestle with personal questions, think deeply about God’s true character, and learn to appreciate His divine work as you discover your own path to the promised land. Recapture your hope, restore your soul, and renew your vision of a wondrous Savior when you learn to live on God’s time.

Learn the true purpose of waiting on God and living on His timeline and enter to win Marlo's giveaway.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• Two copies of Waiting for Wonder (one for you and one to give to a friend)
• A KEEP Collective watch set (with a band and watch)

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on December 23. The winner will be announced December 27 on Marlo's blog.

To Joey, With Love - DVD Review and Giveway

Just how does anyone come to terms with saying goodbye knowing you are going to die? Is there any way to prepare for the loss not only are you going to feel but also for your family and friends who have to stand by and watch as cancer robs the life of another precious saint?

Most people can say that they recall the story of Joey and Rory Feek, a country music duo, who faced such a hardship. In March of 2016, Joey Feek quietly walked into the arms of Jesus and entered into eternity despite all the best known attempts at beating cancer. Some people might say that she lost her battle. That despite the many months of prayers for a miracle, she simply didn't get one. Yet she was healed of her cancer. It may have robbed this precious wife and mom of her earthly life, but where she dwells now in heaven, cancer can no longer touch her and one day she will be eternally reunited with her family and friends, never having to say Goodbye again.

In the DVD, To Joey, With Love, this documentary chronicles this story of both the love and faith of Joey and Rory Feek, the birth of their daughter Indiana, who was born with Down's Syndrome, and the loss of the life of a mother for her two-year-old daughter. Thankfully the couple had the insight to film this journey and viewer of this DVD get a look at the personal journey that most never saw. The courageous battle to beat cancer this side of heaven, and the decision to quietly give up treatments when the cancer refused to shrink.

I believe that everyone will take away something different from watching this love story. For me, it is the love is eternal and everlasting. Perhaps that is why the Bible says that the greatest gift from God is love. It transcends time and space and it is the one thing we will take with us when we breathe our final breath on earth and take our first one in heaven. It shows that her faith in God never wavered in spite of all the doctor's diagnosis. Perhaps this one hits home for me, was my dear friend is also facing her third diagnosis of cancer. One thing is certain, the battle isn't ours to wage but God's and faith can be found woven into the entire documentary.

I received To Joey, With Love compliments of Icon Media Group. It is the hardest DVD I had to watch and review because it hits home for me as a wife and mother. It is a beautiful love story that had the pause button pressed for now, but one day will continue and will be the true story of happily ever after. I am so humbled by this mother's faith and the love she shows for her daughter, even as she knows her time is growing short. For me this will be one that stay with me, long after the movie ends and thus the reason for a 5 out of 5 stars!

Now for the amazing part, thanks to the blessed generosity of Icon Media Goup, they are offering a DVD of To Joey, With Love to one lucky follower of my blog Reviews From The Heart. Here are the details to enter.

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart or "Like" my Facebook page.

2. Be a resident of the US and please NO P.O. Boxes.

3. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this DVD along with your email address. I will be notifying the winner via email so make sure to include it with your comment. You can even use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

4. For social media followers, simply comment on my page why you would love to win a copy. I will reach out to you via private message if you are the lucky winner and contact you for your mailing information at that time.

So there are two ways to enter but only one winner. I will notify the winner via email or private message when the giveaway ends on December 16th.

For more information about To Joey, With Love, Icon Media Group or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

To Joey, With Love from Icon Media Group

You can read more about Rory and Joey's life on Rory's blog.

When Jesus Was A Green-Eyed Brunette - Giveaway and Review

We, as believers, know that Jesus exists in the world, but He might not be as we would imagine Him to be. For some, He might show Himself as a homeless man in need of a new pair of shoes, He might be a pastor of a church who is dying from cancer despite all the prayers of his congregation, and He might even be a green-eyed brunette. It isn't Jesus really, as you might think, but it is the Spirit of Jesus living inside someone that shows us what Jesus is.

He isn't religious but has come to have a loving relationship with us. Some people get all caught up living their lives under such a microscope of scrutiny of God that they know they will never be good enough. That is living under legalistic rules of a religion and not what Jesus came more than 2500 years ago to do and that is establish a personal loving relationship with each one of us. Grace is what we all need more of and Max Davis' latest book, When Jesus Was A Green-Eyed Brunette, shows us everyday how we fail to see it when it does come in the smallest of things that happen to us. He shares intimate stories of how seeing Jesus at work in the lives of others transformed who Jesus was to him. In doing so, it changed how Max would live out the rest of his life and connect with others along the way to change them.

There are moments in this book when you will laugh and others that have you on the edge of your chair ready to cry and I believe the message is different for each one of us. It will be a personally journey of your own to see where in your life you need more of Jesus' love and grace and how it can open you up to new freedoms in your walk of faith with a deeper more intimate relationship with Jesus. There are so many amazing quotes and stories that they will all inspire more reading I'm sure in the future but more importantly it will wake you up out of your spiritual slumber. As Davis puts it, "Jesus is very much alive today and still does incredible things - sometime supernatural things - through us!"

I received When Jesus Was A Green-Eyed Brunette by Max Davis compliments of Worthy Publishing and FlyBy Promotions/Propeller LLC. I love how this book weaves personal stories of people's faith in Jesus showing up in ordinary people that reveals to us that He knows us and is fully present in our every day circumstances, especially in our difficulties. Perhaps a quote from John Bunyan (The Pilgrim's Progress) sums up the book best, "In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God." For me, this was a breath of fresh spiritual air and well worth a 5 out of 5 stars. This will be a permanent part of my personal library, one I know I will reference often.

Now for the best part, thanks to the amazing blessed generosity of Worthy Publishing and Propeller LLC, they are offering a giveaway copy to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here's all you need to do to enter.

1. Be a follower of my blog Reviews From The Heart, or "Like" my Facebook page. 

2. Be a resident of the US and please no P.O. boxes.

3. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this book, along with your email address. I will be contacting the winner by email so don't forget to include it. You can even use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

4. If you are on social media instead of a blogging follower, leave me a comment why you'd love to win a copy of this book. I will private message you if you're the winner and you can contact me to provide your mailing information.

I will notify the winner by email once the giveaway ends on December 16th.

For more information about When Jesus Was A Green-Eyed Brunette, Max Davis or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

When Jesus Was A Green-Eyed Brunette by Max Davis

You can find Max Davis on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest books.

To read more reviews on When Jesus Was A Green-Eyed Brunette, please visit Worthy Publishing's website. 

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

When There Is No Miracle

"Why has God allowed this to happen to me?" is perhaps the hardest question Christians are asked. Whether it is from an unexpected death of a family member or friend, the loss of a job at the worst time of the year, cancer diagnosis for the first time or third time, or fill in the blank to any number of things you wish you had an answer for. So how do you answer any of those questions and still give someone hope?

In the book, When There Is No Miracle by Robert L. Wise is a great place to start. I know for me, I have had my own share of questions for God and often times, feel when there is no answer and just never ending silence, it can seem as if God doesn't care or your prayer simply wasn't filled with enough faith.

Yet as Christians we know that Jesus, as the very Son of God, had enough heartache to last an eternity. Not only did He witness it in the lives of the people He came into contact with day in and day out while He walked the earth, but even the brutality He, Himself, would face through beatings, the crucifixion and even His death on the cross. So where is God when bad things happen? Why do we automatically assume God is to blame for both good things and bad?

You might reason that since God is Creator He could heal someone if He chooses or stop a terrorist from killing innocent people, so why doesn't He? Is it possible there is someone else to blame than God? Is there an answer when a miracle doesn't happen for even the most dedicated person of faith? The answer is a resounding yes to all of these questions. For me, this book was a great resource for my own prayer life in helping me to pray for things along the lines of God's will but in also helping me to understand God's expectations of us and what the greater purpose might be in these situations. I believe it should be a resource in any believer's library. Using the Bible, I can now help those struggling to find answers in the world we live in today and to accept the uncertainty we will face in some of those times. One thing is clear, God is always present in all of those situations.

I received When There is No Miracle by Robert L. Wise compliments of Kregel Publications. My reason for wanting to read this book was a dear friend of mine was going through her cancer diagnosis for the third time. After battling this horrible disease twice and winning, it was heart-breaking to see this come a third time. Yet despite it all, the grief was real along with the many tears that followed, but the one thing that remains true is her undying spirit that God has NOT forsaken her, despite an incurable diagnosis. While she might not win this battle, she is looking for the purpose God is using this for. What a great example of getting through dark times, we simply need to turn to the Light and remember while we might not see the miracle this side of life, death is NOT the end for the believer. I easily give this book a 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend this to anyone wanting to know the "Why's" of life purpose when bad things happen in our own lives.

For more information about When There Is No Miracle, Robert L Wise or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

When There Is No Miracle by Robert L Wise

You can find Robert L.Wise on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest books.

To read more reviews on When There Is No Miracle, please visit Kregel Publication's website. 

For The Record

"A hero always came back for his lady."

That is a statement that Betsy Huckabee carried both in her heart and in her words. She longed one day to be a great writer and find a way to support herself so she wouldn't be a burden to her aunt and uncle any longer. Working to find interesting stories for the Pine Gap, Missouri paper wasn't easy in a small town where most folks knew the latest news even before it made it to print. She just knew that she had to try and find a way to make it on her own as an independently fierce woman of the frontier.

Since love was the furthest thing from her mind it was easy to stay on task. After all in a town the size of Pine Gap, pickens were slim when it came to eligible single men. She wasn't about to settle for anything less than her heart desired. For now it would have to be in the fictionalization she was working on mirroring the image in part of the town's newest deputy, Joel Puckett. He arrived in town to replace the former sheriff who had gotten a bit too lazy in dealing with the town's vigilante mob known as the Bald Knobblers. They believed they were doing what the law in town was unable to do and that was minister their own brand of justice. Deputy Puckett was hired to ensure this type of justice came to a dead end, one way or the other.

Just the perfect character for Betsy to mold her articles after, only she would change some of the details just in case Deputy Puckett happened to come across her stories. Not that he would be the type to read a newspaper printed in Kansas City. Until then Betsy would let the romance in her fictional articles be the only love she would pursue and with the Kansas City papers demanding more, it wouldn't be long before she would be able to move out on her own and make her own way in the world. If only the romance she wove on paper would manifest itself in her own life, then she might not have to settle for a single life in a small town.

I received For the Record by Regina Jennings compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. What I absolutely love about Regina Jennings novels is that you are guaranteed a strong-willed, female character that isn't afraid to take on society's definition of what a woman should or shouldn't do coupled with not only heart-racing romance but also a blend of humor as her characters struggle to find their own identity in the late 1800's. Betsy's character isn't about to put stay put when there is a story to discover, even if it means putting herself in harms way. She will do whatever it takes to make a future for herself even if it means painting Deputy Puckett into her stories of a brave, determined but handsome hero. This is the third novel in the Ozark Mountain Romance Series and I would rate this novel a 4 out of 5 stars!

For more information about For the Record, Regina Jennings or where you can pick up a copy of this novel, please click on the links below:

For the Record by Regina Jennings

You can find Regina Jennings on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on For The Record, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

Amy Grant: Tennessee Christmas - Review and Giveawy

Hard to imagine a wonderful Christmas tucked in the Smoky Mountains without thinking of the song, Tennessee Christmas. It exemplifies exactly what those who live in or have experienced at some time, what a Christmas in the mountains looks and feels like. Yet this time of the year we all have our beloved Christmas favorites and that is why I am thrilled to share with you, Amy Grant: Tennessee Christmas CD.

Besides containing your traditional favorites like White Christmas, Joy to the World, Baby It's Cold Outside Duet with Vince Gill and O Come, All Ye Faithful, you get some originals that will make it to your must listen to during each Christmas season to come. There are 13 songs besides the title track of Tennessee Christmas, and my favorite of them all is To Be Together. For me it's a reminder that we don't really need anything but our loved ones to make Christmas something to remember. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and this CD is a beautiful way to remind us what the real reason for the Christmas season is, Jesus Christ.

Like Amy states, "Everybody has Christmas memories, and it seems like we spent as much time reminiscing and telling stories as we did making music. Nostalgic...warm...hopeful...loved...not alone." This CD contains the following tracks:

1. Tennessee Christmas
2. To Be Together
3. Christmas For You and Me
4. Melancholy Christmas
5. December
6. White Christmas
7. Joy To The World
8. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
9. Baby, It's Cold Outside (Featuring Vince Gill).
10. Christmas Don't Be Late
11. Still Can't Sleep
12. Another Merry Christmas
13. O Come, All Ye Faithful

I received Amy Grant: Tennessee Christmas compliments of Capital Records and Fly By Promotions/Propeller LLC. Tucked inside this CD are the lyrics to all the songs as well as some beautiful family pictures of Amy Grant's Christmas memories over the years. I absolutely LOVED this CD to put me into the "country Christmas" mood! I would rate this CD a 4 out of 5 stars.

Now for the best part, thanks to Capital Records and Fly By Promotions/Propeller LLC, they are offering a giveaway CD to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here's all you need to do to enter:

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

2. "Like" my Facebook page, Reviews From The Heart.

3. Be a resident of the US and no P.O. Boxes please!

4. Leave me a comment below telling me why you'd love to win this Amy Grant: Tennessee Christmas CD. Don't forget to include your email address so I have a way to contact you if you're the winner. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols if you wish.

I will contact the winner by email once the giveaway is over on December 9th. So be sure to share this on your social media sites as well to give others the opportunity to win as well!

For more information about Amy Grant, Amy Grant: Tennessee Christmas CD or where to pick this up today, please click on the links below:

Amy Grant: Tennessee Christmas CD by Capital Records

You can find Amy Grant on Facebook to stay up to date with all her projects.

You can purchase a copy of Amy Grant:Tennessee Christmas on iTunes. 

“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 a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Everything Beautiful - Coloring Book Review

"Life is beautiful."

"We say it all the time. Our Instagram feeds are full of picturesque scenes where the light shines just perfectly so our go-to filter makes our surroundings look like they came from something out of Tolkien novel. We talk to our coworkers about our beautiful adventures outside of work, we tell the most adorable stories of our children, and we make sure we humblebrag about the sweet, romantic gesture our husbands made last weekend.

"But no one sees the fight you two had before he got you those flowers. No one sees you losing your temper after your kids kept banging on the bathroom door asking for a snack - because apparently using the bathroom in peace is an outrageous request. No one sees how hard you fought to get out of bed under the crushing weight of depression, and no one is there to watch you try to picture your life after a terrifying diagnosis. When the entire world seems to be embroiled in war, injustice, and disease, it can be hard to see real beauty anywhere - despite the perfect image we curate online."

"We like on an unwell earth, and each moment of brokenness only serves to remind us of that fact. Any attempt at finding hope, beauty, or anything remotely good to cling to can sometimes feel like an impossible task. But you and I serve a big God. We serve a God who can't be held back by what ails this earth. We serve a God who promises to give us a "crown of beauty instead of ashes" (Isaiah 61:3)."

"Still in the midst of the brokenness of this world, that can be hard to remember. The hope for this book is that, as you color and meditate on the words, you are gently reminded of the beauty that can still be found in the bleakest of moments and that this book becomes a bit of a lifeline to remind you our Savior is always there with us. This book reminds you that He has the power to redeem every moment of our lives. Yes, this world is broken, but our Jesus is not."

WaterBrook Multnomah has published Everything Beautiful, a coloring book for inspiration and reflection with illustrations by a variety of artists on each page. On one page is a beautiful illustration to color while on the back of the page is a Bible verse or description as to where the illustration was inspired from, such a hymn or a well known person like Helen Keller who was inspirational in what they did or how they lived.

There are 45 individual illustrations to color and even more is a Spotify playlist called "Everything Beautiful" which you can play while you color or even when you need a pick me up to your day. It is a reminder that God has made everything, including YOU, beautiful. The pages are also perforated to allow you to remove them to make coloring the full page much easier whether you are a lefty or a righty! The only issue I had with this coloring book is that I wish there were blank sides to the page to prevent bleed through depending on the type of media you are using to color like markers or some gel pens. I received Everything Beautiful compliments of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers. I would rate Everything Beautiful a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and would be a great gift to anyone who needs to be reminded that in Everything, God has a plan and a purpose.

For more information about Everything Beautiful, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Everything Beautiful by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers 

You can find WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers on Facebook to stay up to date on all their products.

When Calls The Heart Season 3 Collector's Edition

I guess you could call me a "hearty!" It is what fans of Hallmark Channels, When Calls the Heart refer to themselves as. Not just in the sense that we are lovers of romance and all things pertaining to the heart but the series inspired by Janette Oke and directed by Michael Landon Jr. Now in it's fourth season beginning to air soon, I had the chance to review When Calls the Heart Collector's Edition for Season 3 on DVD just in time for Christmas! What a perfect gift for fans of the series!

You get 10 discs included in this boxed set, which include the following:
01: When Calls the Heart: It Begins with a Heart
02: When Calls the Heart: Troubled Hearts
03: When Calls the Heart: Heart of a Hero
04: When Calls the Heart: Forever in My Heart
05: When Calls the Heart: Hearts in Question
06: Episodes 1-5
07: Episodes 6-10
08: Bonus Features/Slide Show
09: Hearties Family Reunion
10: #Hearties Trivia Game - What's Your #Hearties IQ?

Season 3 has definitely been filled with changes for our beloved characters Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow) and Constable Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing). Their love is put to the ultimate test when Jack's mom (Brooke Shields) comes to town. Wedding plans are in order for Rosemary and Lee, and a possible budding romance between Abigail (Lori Loughlin) and Frank, the local church pastor. But like all happy endings, these will be tested far and above what most people would want and love doesn't come easily to those who truly deserve it. Of course the bad guys are still up to their old tricks and fans hope that Mr. Gowen will get his just desserts for all the grief he has brought to the town of Hope Valley. But the town of Hope Valley's faith will be tested to see if that faith is one that can be trusted before the last episode airs!

I received When Calls the Heart Season 3 Collector's Edition Boxed Set compliments of Edify Media Inc and Word Films. I have thoroughly and faithfully watched every single episode since the premiere of the season and this set is definitely one I will keep within our family. When looking for a series the entire family can enjoy, When Calls the Heart is it! Laced with action and adventure, but also comedy and romance but most importantly lessons of faith, compassion, kindness and caring for one another come through in shining colors. This is Dove Family Approved for all ages and is something your entire family will enjoy as much as our does. I would rate this Collector's Edition, a 5 out of 5 stars and now I am off to see if I can improve on my #hearties trivia!

For more information about When Calls the Heart Season 3 Collector's Edition, Word Films or Hallmark Channel, or where you can pick this up today, please click on the links below:

When Calls the Heart Season 3 Collector's Edition by Word Films

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

You can find Word Films on Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest movies and film projects.

The Remnant

"The thing is, religion in the general sense of the word is about external, visible things - buildings, practices, art, music, convocations, ceremonies, observances, relics, texts and so on. Those make it easy for the Federation to identify a religious person. If they can see it, they can nail you for it. But I don't believe that's what the Jesus way is about. It's about the internal, the invisible, such as faith and connection with God. Visible things will ultimately emerge from invisible faith, things like concern and service for your fellow human beings. But why should the Feds have a problem with those things? They make for a healthy civilization." (pg 240).

Jesus promised that in the last days the signs of His coming would be as easy to see as the signs of a tree beginning to bloom, signify that Spring is coming. Yet what if the signs aren't so easy to read and some begin to wonder if they missed it completely or there would be more horrors to face in this world before He does come.

The year is 2069 and 90 percent of the world's population has been eliminated as well as most of the major cities around the world. Religion is to blame for being the catalyst to launch an all out attack on a global scale and the remaining 10 percent are not allowed to participate in anything that looks like religion. All religious books have been burned and any remaining copies will soon be confiscated by the Federation if found. All churches, mosques and temples have been converted to housing or government use buildings and anyone who does not wish to give up their religious rights are moved into camps known as Safe Zones.

While they can no longer worship publicly, they are kept being productive members of the zone by using whatever skills they possess to benefit those in the city and Federation. They are given the option of forgoing their religious rights and be re-educated in the Federations guidelines and can resume a better way of living at any time. But for those who don't, they remain locked away in the Safe Zones behind heavily protected gates and armed guards. If you manage to escape from these zones, you can't ever return. No one knows what lies outside the gates of the Zones, referred to as the Wilderness, but rumor has it that religious freedoms await in remote cities where the Federation has no control. Grant Cochrin along with his family and friends, make a plan to escape and find any Christians left on earth, but it will take all of them working together to ensure they are not caught. If the Federation finds them, they will be vaporized instantly. Escape seems to be their only hope to find a Bible left in the world somewhere and all that the family has is a remnant page from the Beatitudes but even that is vague in its interpretation.

I received The Remnant by Monte Wolverton compliments of CWR Press and Litfuse Publicity. I really love how this novel takes into consideration all religious groups from Muslims, Buddhist Monks, Catholics, and Christians as Grant tries to make sense of what lies beyond the Zones. Each area has their own religious groups running them and soon it is hard for those in this rag-tag team to know what is the real truth and what are the lies. Is there any hope for finding Christians left in the world? I absolutely love this novel as it places our religious beliefs to the truest test of our faith and just how far we are willing to go to find the truth of what we believe. For that reason I give this novel a 4.5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the sequel.

For more information about The Remnant, Monte Wolverton or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Remnant by Monte Wolverton

You can find Monte Wolverton on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest books.

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

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

Who would have ever thought I would be a fan of Traditional Regencies? But after watching Downton Abbey I was addicted! Both in the lives of the wealthy and also those of the common folks as well. Something I think I would fall into if I had been born a long time ago. One thing is certain, the rights of women have definitely come a long way. In those days if a woman was married but her husband died, all of her property, wealth and assets went to the next male in the family. Either a brother, cousin, son or even second or third cousins that may have no knowledge of that family whatsoever.

Best-selling author Julie Klassen takes readers into a new series, the Tales of Ivy Hill in her first novel, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill. It is here that we meet Jane Bell who is still mourning the unexpected death of her husband John and has been left to care for a dilapidated coaching inn, known as the Bell. She has no means to bring it back to its former glory and somehow she finds it odd that her husband would have left the Inn to her over his brother Patrick. When the bank informs Jane that her husband took out a loan of 15,000 pounds and hasn't paid a penny of it back, they give her 90 days to find a way to begin making the necessary repairs to the Inn, come up with a business proposal to show how she might turn a profit in the coming year, or pay off the loan.

Jane's mother-in-law, Thora returns to the Inn without realizing the trouble Jane is now facing. She has no way of being able to help Jane and her reputation within the town is less than stellar knowing how difficult and stern she can be. John's brother, Patrick has offered to take over the Inn for Jane so she doesn't have to deal with trying to figure out the logistics of what she will face, but is encouraged by the staff of the Inn and those who work with them, to figure out a way to keep it going. It means the livelihood of town's residents by keeping the Inn operating and to sell it would mean that they would all lose their sources of income as well. All the businesses in town are interconnected in one way helping one another out. When an unexpected guest arrives at the Inn, Jane believes her future might just change, she just isn't sure if it's for the best or worse.

I received The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Net Galley. The one thing I enjoyed the most about this novel is that Julie Klassen wasn't in a rush to finish the first novel and took her time exploring the complex relationships that Jane and Thora have. From the common people Jane's Inn employs from the coachmen to the maids, and even those she does business with like the butcher and laundress. In a time when it wasn't easy for a woman to make it, I love how well both Thora and Jane dig in to find resources they can utilize when they lack the experience to pull off this endeavor. While I was hoping for more romance between Jane and Gabriel, I am optimistic it may happen in a future novel in this charming and heartwarming series set in England. I definitely learned quite a bit about the coaching inns and how they contributed to the financial well being of the town. I would rate this novel a 5 out of 5 stars and anxiously await the next one!

For more information about The Innkeeper of Ivy Hills, Julie Klassen, or where to preorder a copy of this novel due out in early December of 2016, please click on the links below:

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen

You can find Julie Klassen on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, please visit Bethany House Publishers.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It is easy to lose the real meaning of Christmas, as you enter into the end of November and December, with all the focus on the busyness of the season. From buying gifts, traveling, cooking, and making preparations, it seems it is over before we know it. I found a great new book, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Ace Collins, that incorporates some historical facts about Christmas traditions, amazing recipes, homemade crafts, the stories behind our time honored favorite Christmas carols, and of course the Biblical Scriptures for 30 days so you can keep Christ in Christmas all month long.

This is by far, one of my most favorite books because there is so much tucked into a small but precise book to help you understand not only why we incorporate certain things like Christmas trees, candy canes, the Yule Log, and even Santa Claus himself. All of these traditions had their basis in Christian foundations and not based on worldly values so that you can pass the historical facts along with your family and friends this Christmas season.

There are so many great recipes to add to your holiday baking that it makes gift giving a snap and gives you some fresh ideas that are simple and easy to make such as Pecan Snowball cookies, Gingerbread Hot Chocolate Mix, Snickers Cookie Bars, Eggnog Snickerdoodles and so much more. Along with that is the ideas for some homemade gifts that keep expenses down but add an entirely different element to your gift giving this year. Some ideas are Lavender Bath Salts in a Jar, Lime Mint Foot Scrub, Garlic Infused Olive Oil, Cookie Butter, Personal Photo Coasters, Lemon Beeswax Candles and so many more ideas that you can use these ideas not just at Christmas, but all year long.

Perhaps my favorite are the stories behind our Christmas traditions and songs, along with the Bible Scriptures that keep the element of Jesus in each day. This is not simply a retelling of the Christmas story we are all use to in Luke 2, but takes into consideration the reason for the wisemen's gifts to Jesus, how Christmas is tied to Easter, what the significance is to using X-mas over Christmas, and so much more.

I received The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Ace Collins compliments of Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity. This will now be part of my preparations of Christmas and in sharing all this historical facts with my family and friends through the month of December, all packed into a 30 day devotional or advent celebration. It gives you time to slow down some of the busyness of the Christmas season and reflect on what it really means to celebrate this time of the year but also the why's behind it all. I can't think of a better way to countdown this Christmas than with this book and it makes a great gift to give this year as well! I know I plan on picking up quite a few copies to tuck beneath our tree and to give to those who need some hope this Christmas. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars because there is so much packed into this book but also there is something for everyone. It will be hard to think of Christmas the same way again!

For more information about The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Ace Collins, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Ace Collins

You can find Ace Collins on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest books.

To read more reviews on The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.

Make this upcoming Christmas holiday a Christ-filled season of joy and wonder with the help of Ace Collins' new devotional, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. From December to New Year’s Eve, reawaken the Christmas season with daily scripture and inspirational readings of stories behind popular Christmas traditions, carols and movies. Enjoy a wealth of fun activities to help make the most of the season, including heartwarming holiday recipes and homemade gift ideas.

Join Ace's Christmas festivities by entering to win the Magic of Christmas Prize Pack. Create new traditions this holiday season with your family and friends with the goodies included in the giveaway.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
• A button-wreath craft kit
• Pass the Ugly Christmas Sweater card game
• A gingerbread tree kit
• An advent calendar

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 21. The winner will be announced November 22 on the Litfuse blog.

Home on the Range

Who doesn't love a man in a cowboy hate who has all the right ways to charm a gal into wanting to ride off into the wild blue yonder and live happily ever after? Well I do for one. But in Ruth Logan Herne's latest novel, Home on the Range it won't be that simple. This is the second novel in the Double S Ranch Series and in this novel we meet Nick Stafford, who is a bit of a prodigal. Not the one that ran off and spent his father's inheritance, but the one who stayed. Even though Nick has a firm foundation in his faith, it is tested both my his legendary father who has spent his whole life building up a ranch to leave as an inheritance for his sons and their families.

For Nick, that happily ever after dream disappeared the moment that his now ex-wife Whitney, took the money he gave her for the house, divorced him and left their two daughters into Nick's custody. Now years later, the girls are still dealing with the effects in ways that are affecting their school work so Nick is advised to get counseling to help them deal with things beyond their years and get things back on track. As much as he hates the idea, he knows he will do whatever it takes to help his two young daughters.

Even if it means driving into the middle of a forest and happening upon a hobbit like home in the middle of nowhere. That is what the school's principal has recommended and not to mention it is her sister who used to practice child psychology. She believes that Elsa can help Nick and his daughters, Dakota and Cheyenne if only he is willing to give it a chance. Her sister believes that this might be the one thing that can bring Dr. Elsa Andreas out of her hermit like existence, but first they must agree to work together and with sparks flying from all of them, not just the romantic kind, it might be easier to put a sweater on a porcupine!

I received Home on the Range by Ruth Logan Herne compliments of Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers and I have to say I really LOVE the Stafford family. They are as loyal as the day is long and their faith is trusted because it is a faith that is tested on more than one occasion. I love that Elsa makes references to the Disney Elsa throughout the book and love how she manages to work through the hard issues facing the two young girls, giving them a different perspective without making them feel like she is counseling them. A brilliant and warm contemporary romance readers will come to love an remember long after they turn the final page. There are even two amazing recipes tucked inside for readers to enjoy after all the Stafford family dinners on the ranch! This one is well worth all 5 out of 5 stars in this reader's opinion.

For more information about Home on the Range, Ruth Logan Herne or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Home on the Range by Ruth Logan Herne

You can find Ruth Logan Herne on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Home on the Range, please visit Waterbrook Multnomah's website. 

Trust My Heart

Fairy tales are just that. Not real. Never coming true. Fabricated stories to charm their way into a woman's heart and never let go. Perhaps that is why all of Jami Carlisle's relationships haven't worked out well. Maybe she had been looking for a happily ever after with someone who simply didn't exist. It seems like most of the men in her life weren't meant to stay. Her own father walked out on her and her mother when given the ultimatum to sober up or get lost. Guess she knew what matter most to him, and it wasn't what remained of their family.

After losing her mother to cancer, Jami vowed to do something worthy of her life. She loved writing and even though most of her half-hearted novels lay unfinished in binders in her home, the prospect of getting a job as a reporter for the Scout, their local paper might just be the answer. Her first story would determine just how much gumption she possessed when she is tasked with interviewing Grant McAllister who has returned home from New York to settle his family's old home that has sat vacant for far too long. Seems the town has more rumors than truth on what really happened to them and their only answer might be Grant himself.

Jami will have to use all her charms to outwit all of Grant's straight-out refusals for an interview before he leaves town in a few weeks taking all the answers and mystery with him. But Grant has had all he can stand with reporters who make promises and fail to keep them, choosing instead to print what will sell the most papers. Even though it seems that Jami isn't like the ones he has dealt with in the past, he knows that his story would be the one that would be just the edge someone like Jami could use to further her career into something much more more. Nope, just get in and get out while he can. If only he could take his own advice and not that of his own heart. Things are about to get interesting in Murphy, North Carolina!

I received Trust My Heart by Carol J. Post compliments of Waterfall Press and Litfuse Publicity. This novel has within it all the elements to make a Hallmark Channel movie. You got to love all the quirky secondary characters like the over the top fashion statement charm of Bernie as well as her on and off again rivalry with farmer Hank who is set in his ways at the Feed store. Combine that with all the small town charm of a simple town like Murphy, you are bound to see some sparks fly and romance bloom. 5 out of 5 stars for my and can't wait to see more from Carol J. Post in the future. For now, this one has a cozy home in my personal library!

For more information about Trust My Heart, Carol J. Post or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Trust My Heart by Carol J. Post

You can find Carol J. Post on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

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

Will an unplanned detour finally guide Grant home and find love with an honest, funny, and undeniably appealing reporter named Jami? Find out in a heartwarming romance by Carol J. Post, Trust My Heart. Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible. After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore—but as the two draw closer as they share their dreams, misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust.

Join Carol in celebrating the release of Trust My Heart by entering to win her $75 Cozy Cash Giveaway.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Trust My Heart
• A $75 Visa cash card
• A basket full of goodies made in North Carolina to keep you cozy in the cooler fall weather

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 23. The winner will be announced November 28 on Carol's blog.

Restoring Love

Sometimes the best renovation projects aren't the ones you watch on your Home Improvement channels. They are the ones you get to see in person involving life changing moments for those who need it the most. In the novel Restoring Love by Jennifer Slattery, there are 3 different sets of circumstances in which we get to see the power of God's restoration at work in the lives of the people we meet all in one neighborhood.

Angela is trying to find a way to start over again after living with her daughter Ainsley and her husband. Seems like family serves a useful purpose when you need help the most. Now it is time to begin as a new creation in Christ. She moves into a rental home owned by a missionary family away on a trip and with a handful of items of her own, Angela tries to resolve her past so she can find her future. Now all she needs to do is keep her job as a Teacher's Assistant and hope for a full-time teaching position to open up. But with her wardrobe, it is not likely. She is a 50-year-old divorcee dressing like an 18-year-old and soon rumors begin to fly from other teachers about her appearance. When Angela consults with her daughter, she has to kindly tell her that she might want to dress more modestly in hopes of not attracting the wrong kind of attention like she has in the past.

Bianca is struggling to keep her head above water while raising 3 kids while she deals with her husband who refuses to give up his criminal lifestyle. If she can't figure something out, she may lose everything she has including her kids if the police show up. While trying to work as a nursing care assistant, she relies on her teenage daughter C.J. to care for her younger brothers both who are failing at school. C.J. spends all her free time with a boyfriend who is only using her and clearly doesn't care what her mother thinks. For C.J. it is an possible escape route out of the family she doesn't want to be with, especially her mother's husband Reid who runs around with gangs and thugs.

Mitch is a partner in a renovation business with Dennis and they have flipped a couple of houses including the one Bianca is currently living in. Now with their new project to work on, a home right next door to Angela, he finds himself drawn in ways he can't explain to try to help her out on any projects she needs done around the house, but Angela has been burned in the past and is trying to keep any relationships with men at bay. Dennis and Mitch seems at odds in running their business when Bianca winds up more than 2 months behind in her rent and Mitch refuses to evict her. If things don't change, they might have to go their own separate ways. It seems Mitch is at a crossroads on what to do and what God has called him to do.

I received Restoring Love by Jennifer Slattery compliments of New Hope Publishers and Net Galley. I really love the interactions these three have in one another's lives as they attempt to reconcile their own past failings under the grace and mercy of God's restoring love. It shows how far they have to work at letting go of their pasts in order to find the future that awaits them if they are willing. This is such a great Christmas story because it conveys the very reason that Jesus was born to offer new hope, new beginnings and a new life to those who are willing to take it. I easily give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Restoring Love, Jennifer Slattery or where you can preorder a copy of this book which is due out in January 2017, please click on the links below:

Restoring Love by Jennifer Slattery

You can find Jennifer Slattery on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Restoring Love, please visit New Hope Publisher's website.

One of the Few

The one thing I am always impressed with whenever I come across our service men and women is discipline, honor, integrity and duty. During their military training, they seem to come across things that go beyond a human beings natural desires and override them to perform as they have been trained and not what they "feel" like doing. They do what they are called to do and often times have to make the hard decisions many of us would never consider doing.

Jason B. Ladd has done double duty in his book, One of the Few combining a bit of his own personal memoirs as a Marine alongside learning what it is to become a Christian. He started at the beginning with no training whatsoever in either area, knowing of God but not truly knowing who He is. Along the way Jason shares how each aspect of his training, from basic training to flight school have taught him more than simple military protocal and training as he advanced in the Marines but how each aspect of that training and often mistakes can be applied to a Christian walk of faith.

In the chapter Read, Fly, Repeat, he shares how much faith is evident in every aspect of a fighter pilots life. While he doesn't build the plane or maintain it, still each time he steps inside the cockpit, he has to have faith that someone who does that job, has done it to the best of their ability, therefore giving him faith that it will perform as it should.

"I have faith in the Marines who work on the jets; they have faith in my ability to fly them - together, we complete the mission. Marines are expected to maintain the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, and integrity. Every lance corporal turning a wrench knows he is part of a team. Without his help, jets will not fly, and without his attention to detail, pilots will not succeed. He does his best because that's what Marines do. They do not settle for average. Marine's work day, night and t hrough the weekend to make sure the job is done right. That's why I have faith in the Marines who maintain the fleet. "

"This was a revelation. I never thought of myself as a man of faith, yet I was beginning to see how much faith I had in everyday things. I need faith to drive to work every day. I have fiath I will receive a paycheck for my work because legal checks and balances ensure compensation and deter unfair business practices. And I must trust architects because I don't worry about roofs collapsing on my head. In order to remain sane, I must trust these even will not occur despite a lack of proof." (95).

I received One of the Few by Jason B. Ladd by Boone Shepherd Publishing and applaud this writers use of military memoirs to also illustrate his growing Christian faith. For some who read this book, especially service men and women, this life lessons will resound more to them because it applies to the brotherhood shared among those in our military service. I love the way his faith grew in the different aspects of his learning to become a Marine pilot and even how mistakes teach us valuable lessons of growing in our own walk of faith. We don't quit, we simply get up, shake off the dust and soldier on. For me, this one really earned a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion because I really LOVED his duality in this novel, one from growing up in the military and becoming a Marine and the life lessons he gained from that, but secondly, how his walk of faith grew out of those very same lessons in a remarkable way.

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One of the Few by Jason B. Ladd

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