The Second Half

It seems like their entire life has been for this moment, a time for a new chapter and a new beginning for Mona and Kenneth Sorenson. Now that their children are grown and have families of their own, they are ready to begin retirement and make those plans that they have put off until now. But when Steig, their oldest son receives word that he is about to be deployed overseas temporarily as a single day for some unknown mission, he can only turn to his parents to help take care of his two children.

While it may have to put a temporary hold on their retirement plans, they know that they will take the two children. Where else can they go. Their mother abandoned them all, years ago and as much as they are eager to begin a new chapter in their own life, Mona and Kenneth accept the challenge they believe God has for them at this time. This will mean a whole new adjustment for all of them becoming initially full time parents again. Two children who had never stayed with their grandparents by themselves; there had always been parents along. Two full-time children, not just visiting and going home. Dear Lord, how are we ever going to do...to what, Mona wasn't sure.

It will also be a huge adjustment for  ten-year-old Melinda and five-year-old Jake, who would be leaving their dad behind to live with their grandparents, now full time. Not just visiting when Dad was home on fishing trips or during holidays, but until he came back. If he came back at all. So why can't they stay with their mom, Angela? They would do well to spend some time with their mom, I mean what kid wouldn't want to stay and get to know their mom again. One thing for sure, it's going to take a whole lot of adjusting on all their ends.

I received The Second Half by Lauraine Snelling compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups in exchange for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of the novel in exchange for my personal and honest opinion. As I am nearing the end of my own child rearing, I can sense what Mona and Kenneth would be going through. Wanting to finally have that alone time with the person you've been married to for years would be something I would be planning and anticipating only to have a monkey wrench thrown into the mix. Not knowing if this would be a temporary thing or a permanent one if Steig doesn't return from his deployment is also something you have to evaluate as well. Something to be said, for plans that work out according to God's and not ours can be found in this charming summer novel. I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about The Second Half, Lauraine Snelling or where you can preorder a copy of this novel today due out in July of 2016, please click on the links below:

The Second Half 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 The Second Half, please visit Faith Word's website. 

A Moment of Weakness

I can't say enough about any book written by Karen Kingsbury. If you have never read one, please pick one up. They are more than simply a story that grabs you in someway by the heart, but they are ones that last well beyond the final page you read. They are that life changing. They get you to not only connect with the characters on an emotional level but there is a depth there that simply goes beyond being a story in a book. It almost feels as if these were personal stories that Karen is sharing with her readers like you are a close personal friend.

In the latest addition to her Forever Faithful Series, A Moment of Weakness is the second book to the series and takes place between Jade Conner and Tanner Eastman who grew up together and became the truest sense of best friends. Tanner forever vowed that despite his young age, he would grow up and marry Jade one day, something she argued would never happen. Like even the best of friends, life happened and simply one day Jade and her family moved away in hopes of finding her mother that left them behind. Jade believed that one day they would return and things would carry on like they always did, but that day never happened and Jade and her father never moved back.

Fast forward a decade later and Jade is working as a nurse in a children's hospital that is being threatened with closure due to budget cuts within the county. Jade is the strongest voice among the community and when the case is slated to go before the board, Tanner Eastman is the intern presenting the case. He never imagined in a million years that he would find the one girl who he gave his heart to so many years ago. Yet even in his heart, for now they can't be together because Tanner's got political aspirations that involved finishing up law school and making his way to the White House with the support of his mother. The other is that Jade doesn't share the same faith that he does and for now, all he can offer her is the friendship they always had, until God places an obstacle so great in their path that will put their faith to the ultimate test.

I received A Moment of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury compliments of Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest and personal evaluation. I absolutely loved this story of Tanner and Jade because like all of us life isn't perfect, in fact it can get downright messy but for the grace of God, He can restore and make all things new despite our choices in life. That is the truest sense of what it means to be a believer in Jesus is that redemption, forgiveness and second chances are available to all of us no matter what circumstances we have gone through. For me, this one will be a permanent fixture with my ongoing Karen Kingsbury collection in my home library with a 5 out of 5 stars,  and one I can highly recommend to anyone who believes that their life is without hope for a second chance.

For more information about A Moment of Weakness, Karen Kingsbury or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Moment of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury 

You can find Karen Kingsbury on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Moment of Weakness, please visit Waterbrook Multnomah Publisher's website. 

Seeking the Star

As a book lover, almost any time of the year is exceptional when you find a great novel, but by far for me, Christmas books are my favorite, especially if they contain a great message behind them just perfect as we begin to roll into the holiday season. Traci Borum has written a truly inspirational and heartwarming book, Seeking the Star and one I can honestly highly recommend if you love Christmas books half as much as I do.

Late one winter's night a drifter collapses just outside the door of an elderly couple, George and Mary Cartwright, in the English Cotswold village of Chilton Crosse. They immediately take him in and nurse him back to health, not knowing why he's been out in the weather or what his story is. They fell that when he is ready he will open up, and for now set about making him feel welcome. They invite him to stay through the holidays as a winter storm approaches and soon learn that Ben has a past that he isn't ready to share just yet. He finds solace in working among the people in Chilton Crosse as a way of staying busy enough until it is time to move on, a journey of no destination and one he wishes he could find a sense of peace with.

As the days move forward, Ben soon begins to make small changes, first shaving his overgrown beard, then his hair and finds a confident in Mac MacDonald, a man of many talents. Ben begins to let down his guard with Mac and is able to share a few things with him while the two working on the nativity set for the town. He is that wise old sage that offers advice without needing to know the full story and can see that Ben is still working something out from his past.

As more time unfolds, Mary is able to get Ben to open up more as George shares the story of the death of their son Sheldon and how they are able to find peace without him being with them any longer. Mary tries to talk to Ben about God, but Ben has simply given up on the God he used to know. She explains that only through her faith in God have they found that peace to keep going in spite of their difficulties, but she knows she can't push him to reveal what he is trying so hard to forget. The only clue is a silver angel that Ben keeps close to him at all times.

I received Seeking the Star by Traci Borum compliments of Red Adept Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I can't imagine dealing with the things that Mary and Ben have had to face and still hold onto their faith, but I also know that without it, you are truly locked in a prison of your own making. My only hope after finishing this book is that Traci will create a sequel to tell us what the outcome of Ben's life will be. If not, I guess we can all dream up our own outcome to what happens next, but I believe that is what all readers want when they read such an exceptional and heartwarming story like this one. I've truly been blessed to read this one and now it's my turn to share it with you in hopes you'll pick this one up and add it to your Christmas collection. It has now found a permanent home in mine and thus a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. This is the third book in the Chilton Crosse series.

For more information about Seeking the Star, Traci Borum or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Seeking the Star by Traci Borum 

You can find Traci Borum on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

You can pick up a copy of this book at Amazon in paperback or for your Kindle. 

The Splendor of Ordinary Days

I have learned a lot of these past years about some genre's of novels I thoroughly enjoy, they are the ones like you will find in Jeff High's Watervalley Series. It conveys the creation of a small town where quite literally everyone knows not only your name, but it is hard to keep secrets in a town like Watervalley, Tennessee. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to review, The Splendor of Ordinary Days, the third novel in this series. Along the way with each novel, you get an deeper look at some of the town's residents and in this case it is with Dr. Luke Bradford, the town's doctor who has slowly fallen in love with Christine Chambers, a schoolteacher. The best part of their relationship is the determination to discuss how they feel in regards to trying to keep things pure until they become married and I believe that is why this works so well. It is honest, heart-felt and you feel that the characters you meet in this novel are more than just fictional characters, these are real people.

When you pick this one up, Dr. Bradford still has not popped the question to Christine, partially because he wants things just perfect and he wants to make sure that the timing is right for both of them, not merely pressure from the residents in town to marry the poor girl. I love that they simply spend their nights sitting on the porch underneath the skies and talk about the things both in their past and hopes for the future. It seems to be the missing component in today's relationships, taking the time to truly getting to know one another before rushing into things. Part of what I truly love about this novel in particular is the characters of Luther Whitmore and Leland Carter. Both very different but have a sense of something more to them that draws you in wanting to know more about their story.

Luther is the owner of the town's newspaper and isn't afraid to take his personal opinions on anything pertaining to the town and publish them. In fact, he is one of the town's most grumpiest elderly men and also owns Moon Lake, but has erected a fence around the whole thing and no one is allowed in. In fact, Luther is so unfriendly, the signs posted on his front porch are enough to keep almost everyone away including any door to door sales like Girl Scouts. But Dr. Bradford begins to uncover clues from their brief conversations that he wonders if there is truly more to Luther than simply the willingness to be all alone. Perhaps somewhere deep in that hard heart was once a man who loved deeply but lost everything he truly cared about through a series of circumstances. Will Dr. Bradford be able to figure it out? Only time will tell and that is what makes this novel so worth reading.

I received The Splendor of Ordinary Days by Jeff High compliments of New American Library and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review and the opinions contained here are my own personal ones. I love the coming together of the community in regards to how they honor their veterans, not only those who died while serving in the various wars but also those who are alive and continue to pay the ultimate price with what they have to deal with on a daily basis. It seems that is what is missing in most towns in this country is the love of our military and also the ability to come together as communities when the need arises. Perhaps that is why I love small town novels like this one, because it gives readers an idea of how wonderful life can be when we all work together, and thus the need to rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. I can't wait to go back and read the first two novels in the series to learn more about the amazing people who live in Watervalley!

For more information about The Splendor of Ordinary Days, Jeff High or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Splendor of Ordinary Days by Jeff High

You can find Jeff High on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Splendor of Ordinary Days, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.

When several military veterans’ emotional wounds trigger anger and unrest in Watervalley, Dr. Luke Bradford learns some important lessons in service, courage, love, and sacrifice in The Splendor of Ordinary Days by Jeff High. As Luke struggles to understand Vietnam War veteran Luther’s past, and restore harmony in Watervalley, an unforeseen crisis shatters a relationship he values dearly.

Join Jeff in celebrating the release of The Splendor of Ordinary Days with a Kindle Fire HD 6 giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• Signed copies of all three Watervalley books
• A Kindle Fire HD 6

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 27th. The winner will be announced October 28th on Jeff's blog.

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. 

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. 

Saving Mossy Point

Throughout all of human history, never would people have ever thought that our national parks would face closure simply based on financial issues, yet that is such the premise in the latest novel by Donna Winters, Saving Mossy Point. As money gets tight, Mossy Point State Parkfaces closure unless it can find a way to end this year in the black, but it will take some creativity to make that happen and Betty Hanson, a widow and long time resident of Mossy Point fears that unless they find a way, the town that depends on the tourists that come to visit the park, will move away and leave Mossy Point, a ghost town along with several other state parks throughout the country that are facing the same financial pressures.

With the help of several volunteers and residents, Betty seeks to renovate an old Lahti cabin would be just the perfect location to offer a folk school, a place where people could come and learn a trade, from photography lessons, painting or arts and crafts. She is hoping to get just as creative on locating the supplies they will need to pull this off, she can only hope it is not as bad as she remembers. In the midst of getting this program underway, Betty's grandson shows up unexpectedly at her home with just the clothes on his back. He's supposed to be in college, but he soon tells her he has made his way across the country to arrive at her home hoping she might allow him to stay. One thing is for sure, Betty can use an extra set of hands from Carlos in a way to help pay for the clothes and food he is sure to need staying with her. But will it be enough? Mossy Point State Park has not turned a profit since the park opened in 1959. One thing for sure is its going to take a miracle to make this happen!

I received Saving Mossy Point by Donna Winters compliments of Upon The Rock Publicists and Bigwater Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review outside of a complimentary copy of the novel. The opinions contained in this are strictly my own. The best part of this novel is the wonderful set of characters that are part of bringing this story to life. I love how there are two vastly different groups who have alternative plans for the park and soon find themselves working against one another to accomplish their own purposes. This would make an exceptional summer read for young adults looking for a great novel with a conservation theme and being good stewards of what God has so richly blessed us with. I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion. This is the 17th book in the Great Lakes Romance Series!

For more information about Saving Mossy Point, Donna Winters or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Saving Mossy Point by Donna Winters

You can find Donna Winters on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews of Saving Mossy Point, please visit Upon the Rock's website. 

As Waters Gone By

How would you handle your life, if suddenly everything changed in one split second? Missing a phone call from your husband asking you to come pick him up, and in return he was involved in an accident while driving under the influence and disabling a homeless man who just happened to be sitting in front of the building he crashed into? After the trial, he was sentenced to five-years in prison and he told you he didn't want to be married to you any longer? He wanted a divorce and wanted no further contact with you? What would you do?

That is just the premise that sets up the latest novel from best-selling author Cynthia Ruchti in As Waters Gone By. Oh this novel truly beckons to be read by a cottage by the lake, because that is just where Emmalyn Ross finds herself after walking away from both a lucrative career as an executive chef when the economy turns south. Having sold their home in an effort to stay afloat without her income or that of her husband, she finds the only place left to go is an old hunting cottage on Madeline Island that has been fully paid for. She only hopes what she has left in her savings will pay for whatever repairs need to get the cottage in livable condition while she sorts out what to make of the life she dreamed she have one day, that seems to be falling apart like the hunting cottage.

She will find solace and healing as she sorts through what she had hoped her life would be and what may remain of it, as she sets out on the restoration project of a lifetime. Not just with the hunting cottage itself, but what she envisioned the life she would have with Max, had this accident not stolen it from her. As she works on the bits and pieces of her life, she finds the most unlikely place to meet friends who will become not only her dearest friends, but her mentors and advocates to help her find her place in this life.

I received As Waters Gone By written by Cynthia Ruchti compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Abingdon Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review aside from the complimentary copy of the novel. The opinions contained here are strictly my own. Each time I read a novel like this one, I often ask myself the same questions I posted at the beginning of the review. How would I handle the situation the main character Emmalyn finds herself in, not by her own choices, but those of her husband which impacts her. I love that it is set on an Madeline Island, one of the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior and found myself quite literally in the shoes of Emmalyn as I was reading it. From the short stay at the Wild Iris Inn where she meets Bougie, the proprietress of the property who brings a form of healing in the way of friendship for Emmalyn who is trying to bear this burden in her life alone. She is seeking a sort of definition for her life when she thought all she might be was a wife and mother one day, but thanks to circumstances beyond her control, she is having to reevaluate her role in life at this stage and spending time working on a cottage is the perfect way to see how God has it all under control even when we feel like it isn't. Well worth every single 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and only wish I had a cottage of my own by the lake to reread this one again. A truly perfect summer read!!!

For more information about As Waters Gone By, Cynthia Ruchti or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti

You can find Cynthia Ruchti on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on As Waters Gone By, please visit Litfuse Book Tour Page.


Can a marriage survive when separated by hundreds of miles and impenetrable prison walls? Find out in Cynthia Ruchti's new book, As Waters Gone By. Emmalyn and Max Ross may have to endure the fight of their lives to mend the tattered fabric of their marriage. His actions ensured she could never be a mother and put him in prison, giving their relationship a court-mandated five-year time-out.

Cynthia is celebrating the release of As Waters Gone By by giving away a summer of fun to one lucky reader!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 cash card to put toward your trip to Madeline Island (discover the beauty of the setting of As Waters Gone By) or your summer vacation destination
• A book-club set (10 copies of As Waters Gone By and a downloadable starter kit) so you can start your own summer book club

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 10th. The winner will be announced June 11th on Cynthia's blog.

 

Plus, now through mid-July, sign up for Cynthia's mailing list for a five-day virtual tour around Madeline Island for the chance to win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack. Each day begins with an email from Cynthia that introduces where you'll be “visiting” that day (all key places from As Waters Gone By) with various interactive elements, including“I wish you were here” postcards, trivia quizzes, and an ongoing Island scavenger hunt. The person who interacts the most will win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack (valued at more than $200). That includes:

• The letterpress block Hope sign from DaySpring
• A set of 6 Hemmed in Hope notecards showing a hope-themed Bible verse
• A leather “I can’t unravel, I’m hemmed in hope” journal
• Signed copies of each of Cynthia’s books, fiction and non-fiction

The Art of Losing Yourself

Do you ever feel like your drowning in your life, and no one notices? Everyday it seems like everyone is going along with their own lives, while you are watching yours fall apart bit by bit. You pray, but it even feels like God has abandoned you? Then you know exactly what Carmen Hart feels like almost every single day. Being married to her childhood sweetheart, they had always wanted a family. Yet it seems like its just not in God's plan for their life. After having six miscarriages, Carmen has lost more than her will to life, she seems to have lost her sanity at the same time.

Being in the public eye has never posed a problem in the past, but when shopping for a friends baby shower gifts at Toys R Us, and walks back to her car, she sees an expectant mother sign and completely loses it. After running over the sign repeatedly, she never expected someone to film it and post it to YouTube. Now as the local weathergirl this is not the type of publicity the station is looking for and tells Carmen to take some time off, til this blows over.

Only Carmen can't even discuss any of this with her husband Ben, because after losing so many children, she has put up walls between them and has no intention on taking them down any time soon. She finds solace renovating an old motel that has been in their family for generations. It's either fix it up and attempt to get it running again or sell the dilapidated property and let part of her treasured past go. What she doesn't expect to find there is her seventeen-year-old sister Gracie living there because it is the only real place she can call home. Their mother has turned back to alcohol once again and just seems like their parental roles have been reversed. Gracie is struggling to fit in where it seems like she doesn't and finds solace in the memories from years past in the old motel. Will this restoration project prove to be just what they both need to reconcile their pasts and move to a brighter future?

I received The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert compliments of WaterBrook Multnomah 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. This is such a great novel and truly enjoyed reading it over the weekend. It is such an escape from life, because you can definitely relate to either the characters of Gracie or Carmen. They are both struggling with the demands others have unfairly placed on them even though neither of them will admit it to those closest to them. They keep those buried deep inside instead of confronting them and sharing them with the very people that they need to. I found myself relating more to Carmen because of her apparent need to appear that she is all put together on the outside, but is literally falling apart on the inside. It's like we have to appear strong for others, but never let others see our need for comfort in our own personal struggles. I would have loved to see how some of the situations resolve themselves by the end, and am hoping there might be a sequel to this one in the near future! Well worth every single one of the 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. There is a discussion guide at the conclusion of this book which is perfect for book clubs!

For more information on The Art of Losing Yourself, Katie Ganshert or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert

You can find Katie Ganshert on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Art of Losing Yourself, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's book tour page.

Pound Foolish

There is a saying that the grass is always greener on the other side. I wonder why people believe that to be true. I guess sitting in your current situation, it is easy to look at how other people seem to be so much better off than you are. Their marriage is full of love and romance, their kids are so well behaved, they don't struggle with finances like you do, but what we often fail to realize is what those people had to endure to get to where they are now. We like the blessings, we don't like to work at it to get there. Isn't that true?

Dave and Neta Jackson have been sharing a series of novels called the Windy City Neighborhood and in their latest book, Pound Foolish is by far my favorite. I think that is so because there is something in this one that most people can relate to. The Windy City Neighborhood Series is about a group of people who live on Beecham Street in Chicago, a melting pot of families in all shapes and sizes and in each novel, we get to interact with them as those it is another episode in a television series to see what has been happening to them since we last met, and get a more in depth look at one family in particular.

In Pound Foolish, we get to meet the Singer family. A couple who have been married for quite some time, with two children, a boy and a girl. Greg Singer, is the proverbial breadwinner of the family whose job as an event coordinator for PowerSports, a company that deals with sport shows in hopes of gaining people who will come to these events to buy boats, ATVs, or Snowmobiles. Just when he believes he is literally at the top of his game, the economy takes a nose dive and some of the larger companies are deciding to pull their registrations from upcoming events. Greg just believes it will pass but soon learns his boss is closing the company and he is about to be laid off. His biggest dilemma is how to tell his wife Nicole.

To say that their marriage is challenging lately would be an understatement. Nicole home schools her two children and runs the entire household. Her husband on the other hand simply believes that is the way God designed it and over time has put more time into his working relationship than in the relationship with her and the kids. In fact she has been considering the attentions of one of their neighbors who says and does all the right things, the way Greg used to and she wonders if their marriage can manage through this latest storm. When Greg believes the messages from their prosperity preacher that he is simply lacking the faith to believe in the greater blessings of God, it will ultimately test more than his family and his friends to see that it isn't the right kind of faith to have. Will he lose it all in the process of trying too hard to hold on to what he believes is right for his family?

I received Pound Foolish by Dave and Neta Jackson compliments of Castle Rock Creative Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions contained in this review are strictly my own. I think the reason I loved this one more than the previous three books is because we have all had issues with security, whether in our finances, our marriages or our jobs. I can see through the eyes of each of the Singers how desperate they are to "fix" things but believe they are right and the other person is wrong. How seeing the struggles they have to endure to hold on not to just their finances while Greg struggles to find work, but in trying to hold on to those relationships that are important in our lives, family and friends. Even the struggles they have to endure with what their church pastor is preaching makes us all a bit more diligent into not merely accepting the truth because it's being preached by a man in a pulpit. I loved the entire novel and can easily say it is a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars in helping to teach us what is really important in our lives. There is a Reader's Discussion Guide and sneak peek at book 5, "Snowmageddon", at the conclusion.

For more information about Pound Foolish, Dave and Neta Jackson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Pound Foolish by Dave and Neta Jackson 

You can find Dave and Neta Jackson on Facebook to stay up to date on all their latest novels.

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

Driftwood Tides

Sometimes when we hold onto too tightly to our dreams, they can slip between our fingers no matter how tight we try and hold on. In the case of Holton Creary, he can seem to find anything to live for any longer. Since losing his wife Adele, five years ago, he believes he was at fault. He had fixed her brakes in her car and that fateful morning when she left, she died when she hit another car head on. The results of just what caused the crash were inconclusive, but in Holton's heart, he was to blame.

Now struggling to make ends met as a driftwood sculpture, he finds the only way to get through the long nights in look down the inside of any gin bottle he has handy. His assistant Tess, knows from experience, that the only way for an alcoholic to get help is when he is ready. No amount of pressure can make anyone want to get better. For Holton, he has virtually given up. He can only hope one day, he will drink his way into unconsciousness and never wake up.

To make matters worse, a local artist is copying Holton's driftwood sculptures and selling them for a whole lot less and taking his contacts within the local community. But no matter how low Holton offers to sell his original creations, Henry just keeps under cutting his prices to take away any hope that Holton can make a living.

Libby is struggling to find a way to tell her over-bearing mother, Caroline, that the wedding she had dreamed of is vastly becoming the one Caroline never had. She is sparing no expense to ensure that Libby has the finest wedding she can afford. But Libby has news that is bound to rock Caroline's world, yet she doesn't realize it will also rock hers as well. In being tested for genetic abnormalities in preparation for her wedding to Rob, Libby discovers that the woman she believed to be her birth mother has been lying. The test results have confirmed that her mother, Caroline, and her birth father both had O+ blood types and Libby's is an A+. There is no way, she is the product of the parents she has believed up to now and now she has to find a way to confront Caroline. When she learns that she was adopted and her birth mother is Adele Creary, she sets out to find out just why her mother put her up for adoption. But she won't be ready to learn what she discovers in the process.

I received Driftwood Tides by Gina Holmes compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Tyndale 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 such a moving story about finding hope in the midst of loss, learning how to find forgiveness and overcoming storms to see new future. Gina does such an exceptional job at bringing the reader down to Holton's level and seeing just how bad things are in his eyes. He has lost all hope despite what lies all around him. He begins to relate to the broken pieces of driftwood he finds abandoned on the beach as if no one wants them any longer. The transformation of what he creates by fashioning them into a work of beauty isn't apparent until Holton can hit rock bottom. Only then will he be able to look up instead of where he has been.

For those that know what the struggle of alcoholism can do not only to the person drinking but to their support system as well, this is an eye opening look at reality at it's bleakest from the eyes of those who have been there. It's not pretty and it's not supposed to be. The writer doesn't attempt to rush this to a conclusion but show you that the path often offered isn't the one that is chosen instead. She makes you care deeply for both Libby and Holton as they both struggle to overcome their pasts and instead look to embrace a future of hope, but it will take blood, sweat and a whole lot of tears to get there. It's truly a beautiful look at restoration and hope and one I give a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Driftwood Tides, Gina Holmes or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Driftwood Tides by Gina Holmes

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

To read more reviews on Driftwood Tides, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's book tour page. 

Home to Chicory Lane

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

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

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

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

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

Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney

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

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


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

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

 
  One winner will receive:

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

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

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

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

The Sign Painter

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

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

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

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

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

The Sign Painter by Davis Bunn

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

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

Penny Wise

I remember when I was a child growing up in a small beachside neighborhood. All the neighbors knew one another and we lived in a small cul-de-sac. Holidays were celebrated in a big way because we got outside and hung out with the people who lived around us. Even late at night, parents would keep an eye out for all the kids, not just there own. But it seems like we have forgotten those great times where we look out for one another. Call it being busy or simply not interested enough, but Neta and Dave Jackson take us back to an old Chicago neighborhood on Beecham Street in each of their novels in the Windy City Neighborhood Series. In the third book, Penny Wise, we meet the Jasper family. The hard working father, Jared works crazy hours as an air traffic controller so the time he does spend with his family is split between work, church and family obligations. His wife, Michelle carries the weight of raising three growing teens, Destin who loves basketball and wants to attend summer camp to enhance his skills for a potential scholarship when he graduates from high school. The twins Tavis and Tabby, are growing 13-year-olds who are desperately seeking their own identities and trying to stay away from the gangs and drugs.

Michelle attempts to hold it all together while working at Bridges Family Services, along with volunteering at Lifeline, a crisis pregnancy center that helps young girls deal with the implications of dealing with the emotions of abortion and teen pregnancy. When she isn't there or working, she is raising a growing, busy family alongside helping out when she can at her church. What the Jasper family is dealing with the most is finding family time again with everyone being so busy in their own personal lives. Sure Jared and Michelle have to work to pay the bills, but it seems as if they are spiraling out of control and unexpected expenses keep piling up when they least expect them, which adds to the pressure that their marriage has to deal with. It isn't hard to understand even in today's tough economic times, that we can all relate to the Jasper's situation. Just how they work it all out is the premise behind this novel. It will showcase just how important family and neighbors can be and by the time you get to the end, you hope that we can all get out and meet with our neighbors a bit more.

Your favorite neighbors that you have met in the first two novels are back, from fun loving, blunt and honest Estelle Bentley, to Christian singer Grace Meredith, and Mattie Krakowski finally makes it home from recovering from her hip injury to take residence in the Bentley's new town home. You gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses that Michelle and Jared face in their marriage and in how they choose to work things out. It challenges us in our own marriages and parenting situations to see things from a different perspective.

I received Penny Wise by authors Neta and Dave Jackson compliments of Castle Rock Creative Publishing and Litfuse Book Tours for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained are strictly my own. I would recommend that even though you can read this as a stand alone, you would get more enjoyment reading this series in order, with Grounded being the first and Derailed following that one. I can't wait for the next one Pound Foolish to come out this fall that picks up the homeschooling family we meet in this novel and one I am sure I will relate to as well. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Penny Wise, Dave and Neta Jackson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Penny Wise by Dave and Neta Jackson

You can also find Dave and Neta Jackson on Facebook to stay up to date with all their latest novels.

To read more reviews on Penny Wise, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour page. 

Hope Deferred

This is a novel based on a set of twins June and July who are both trying to conceive. For June and her husband Toby, they struggle with trying to figure out why they can't have a baby alongside discovering just how far they can pursue things until their insurance fails to cover anything further. While Toby remains optimistic, he understands June's struggle and desire to have a baby, and offers to support her any way he can. When their doctor reveals she has done all she can for them, she recommends they seek more testing with an reproductive endocrinologist. But June knows, if they do they, the likelihood of the insurance company covering that will be almost 0% and they will have to pay all the costs to have further testing and treatment.

It doesn't make things any easier knowing the her sister July at least got pregnant but when they learned it was an ectopic pregnancy and threatening July's life, her husband Gareth was more than relieved when they miscarried. Now he is more than apprehensive to try again without knowing if July's health will be at risk. He isn't willing to risk the potential of having a child only to lose July in the process and leave him as a single parent. He is fine with the way things are right now, but July isn't. She just isn't sure how to convince Gareth to give it another try. When they find themselves at opposite ends of the playing field and arguing more than they are willing to talk things through, July gives him an ultimatum, either seek options to find out why they can't have a baby or get marriage counseling.

As both couples try to come to terms with having a child, they are pulling on opposites of the marriage spectrum. One is willing to work together to see what options they have while the other struggles to maintain the sanctity of their marriage. It is a difficult process and I think the counseling sessions that July and Gareth attend show how we can see things differently than through the eyes of our loved ones in difficult situations. While each of them struggles in uniquely different ways through the crisis, the twins try to rally their own level of support for one another while dealing with other couples and friends that are having no problems becoming pregnant and having babies.

I received Hope Deferred by Elizabeth Maddrey compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Hope Springs Books 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 Grant Us Grace Series and deals with the struggles of trying to have a child on various levels. It gives one insight into struggles of infertility and knowing what God's stand in the matter is, how to keep the lines of communications open between married couples and also how to be understanding around those who want a baby but all the options for them are simply not working. I think Elizabeth did an exceptional job at showing both sides of the coin in this situation and one I can give a 4 out of 5 stars for!

For more information about Hope Deferred, Elizabeth Maddrey or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Hope Deferred by Elizabeth Maddrey

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

To read more reviews on Hope Deferred, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's book tour page. 

Heaven Sent Rain

You are about to encounter a young boy named Jonah and his dog, Downmutt. They are an unlikely pair if you should ever meet them. Sitting outside during a rainy day on a park bench, they will change the life of Dinah Taylor, scientist and pharmaceutical CEO of Food for Life. Some might call it fate, but Jonah sees it as God's hand in his day. While waiting outside in the rain, Dinah feels compelled to buy this inspiring boy she is drawn to breakfast. Not sure if he is homeless or what his reason for being on the bench is, besides waiting to go to school, Dinah is convinced she needs to know more. While he doesn't look the part of a homeless boy, even if his dog does, Jonah displays a childlike innocence and maturity that draws people to him like a moth to a flame. It's the very reason Dinah finds herself meeting Jonah every morning for breakfast. She hopes to learn more about him.

Dinah is fine with her life the way it was before Jonah, on the cutting edge of developing and marketing a product that eliminates the symptoms of diabetes without claiming that it does just that. Even though all the clinical case studies is showing surprising and miraculous results, she knows if they market it as a drug then the FDA will need to get involved and that will cause the product to be delayed for further testing. So she is marketing the products as a food supplement to bypass the long lengthy process to get it into the hands of people who need it now.

When a late night phone call from Jonah demands help from Dinah to aid his dog that has been attacked, she knows she needs to help. Unsure of why his mother can't aid Jonah, she meets him on the corner and drives him to an urgent care clinic for animals. Dinah only knows that Jonah can't lose his dog because of the bond that goes beyond a simple boy caring for his beloved dog. They seem to be connected at a soul level and she will stop at nothing to ensure that the dog receives the very best medical care. Even though it means more than a handful of stitches, a cone of shame, and a few days at the pet hospital Jonah is thrilled to learn he won't lose his dog. Garrett Miller, the veterinarian assures Jonah he can come by as often as he wants to see Downmutt. As part of his practice Garrett draws a caricature of the pets and their owners and for some reason seems obsessed with Jonah and his dog. He finds himself drawing and painting them whenever he has a free moment. Just what is calling on his heart and soul to keep this little boy in his heart?

But bigger plans are being put in the works and these seemingly random events all have a divine purpose when fate hands Jonah the ultimate hand in life. What role will Dinah have to play in Jonah's life? Will she have what it takes to help her through the transition she doesn't see coming? What is the obsession that Garrett has with the look in Jonah's eyes? What role does he have to play in what circumstances follow Jonah? Find out in Lauraine Snelling's latest novel, Heaven Sent Rain that I received from Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Group for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. There are no coincidences in life, simply divine appointments and in the lives of Jonah Morgan, Dinah Taylor and Garrett Miller. They will each find out what God is calling them each to do and how they will all intersect. Each of them will have their faith put to the ultimate test to see which will be refined and which will grow in character and strength in the end. I easily give this one a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars. Sometimes it takes awhile to see the good in the storms life hands us and it isn't until we get to the other side that we can see God's hand in it all.

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

Heaven Sent Rain by Lauraine Snelling

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

To read more reviews on Heaven Sent Rain, please visit Faith Word's website.

Lauraine Snelling is also hosting an amazing giveaway. You can enter and read more about it by clicking here. 

One Perfect Day

For Nora Peterson, this was going to be the Christmas her family would long remember. After all the countless times her husband, Gordon,  has been traveling for business, they were all going to be home together to celebrate those time honored traditions she had hoped would continue on as her twin teenagers Charlie and Christi grew and had families of their own. Knowing that Gordon would be flying home late from Germany she had hoped he would at least call to let her know he was on his way. When she tried calling his phone all she got was voice mail. The only thing she could do was simply pray that everything would be fine despite the worry settling in her stomach. Her children were expected home soon and then they would begin the Christmas celebration none of them would ever forget. Everything would be just perfect. .

For Jenna Montgomery, this would undoubtedly be her daughter, Heather's last Christmas. Growing weaker by the day due to a defect in her heart, she wasn't sure just where she was on the transplant list. For them, they refused to speak of things in their finality. Last time decorating the tree, last time making Christmas cookies or opening presents. At least for Jenna should could hope that it would be a good Christmas for Heather. But when she announced she was more tired than she expected and running a slight fever, Jenna knew from her experience as an ER nurse that these were not the signs of something good, but her worst fears being confirmed. She was losing Heather and they wouldn't even make it to see Christmas this year.

Sometimes life hands up things we hoped would never fall on our plates. We always hope that the bad things in life will escape us and happen to someone else. But when that doesn't happen, it is hard for us to remember how to breathe again. To remember despite all the doubts, that God is still in control even if it seems like this went by His attention unnoticed. If God can do anything, why doesn't He answer our prayers they way we want? For both the Peterson's and the Montgomery family, both of their prayers will be answered just not in the fashioned either had hoped. How each family deals with those answers takes the readers on a chilling look at what grief looks like during one of the worst times in a families life and how they will rise to find a way to move ahead and see the good God can bring from it.

I received One Perfect Day 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 and the opinions contained in this review are strictly my own. This is a difficult novel to read because it deals with death and the implications that affect the family in such a surreal way, you can easily relate to what it must be like dealing with the situation. While grief affects us all differently, there is no time table for when life returns to normal. For some, they find solace in getting back into their routines again; for others simply trying to find a way to get through the day is a challenge in itself. I believe Lauraine did an exceptional job at taking one of the hardest subjects to face in life and show the beauty that can come from it even though it never fades. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and it even includes a reader discussion guide that is perfect for book clubs or for small study groups dealing with loss.

For more information about One Perfect Day, Lauraine Snelling or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling

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

To read more reviews on One Perfect Day, please visit Faith Words Website.

This Side of Heaven

To pray for someone is the greatest call believers have on their lives. The power behind it is truly incredible. Sometimes, the hardest things to come to terms with is regrets. Regrets for things not done, love not given, things not said. Often times, regrets come when we reach the end of our life and are reflecting back, other times it comes when we least expect it. When we believe we will have time to make changes and thus, no regrets. I've told myself every day when faced with any decision, to consider any regrets that might come later for not taking the road less traveled. For saying yes, instead of no.

In Karen Kingsbury's novel This Side of Heaven, we get a sense of what this all means in a story she wrote based on her own brother's life. It is that reflection that she shares at the novel's conclusion and one that once again makes you glad that you read any of her novels. Because you gain an understanding that only comes from sharing the painful parts of our lives with close family and friends, and if you're a reader of her books, then that includes you. Welcome to the family.

Josh Warren is considered a disappointment by her parents, Annie and Nate. He had the world in the palm of his hands and after some bad decisions, watched his hopes for a future with his long time girlfriend, Becky and college slip between his fingers. Hanging out with the wrong crowd can do that do you, as well as believing you'll have time to rectify some of those choices but then life moves on without you. Becky gave Josh an ultimatum that told him he needed to straighten up otherwise they had no future. Josh waited too long and Becky found love somewhere else. Josh soon lost interest in school and found the only employment he could find would be driving a tow truck. Now it seems whenever his father, Nate faced reelection, all of Josh's failures in life were brought to the surface by those successful people in campaign.

So Josh kept to himself while the unanswered prayers of his parents and sister Lindsey went unanswered. Until the day, his parents received that dreaded phone call that you think would change things. Josh had been hit by a drunk driver. It would mean that his life would be forever changed by his actions that day, and he would face years of pain and surgery. Instead of his parents being grateful for that second chance, it only seemed to push them to pressure Josh to make some changes in his life. To find a way to start over again before it was too late. But Josh had other plans. Plans that would give them the greatest gift this side of heaven and change things between them all forever.

I received This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury compliments of Center Street Publishing, 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 in this review are strictly my own. I was blown away first by the story and later to learn that it was based on a true story made it that much more impactful. It made me realize the power of our testimony and how it can completely changes lives if we are willing to let down the walls and let people see how God can change us from who we were to who we are in Him. This is a novel of regrets but also of resolution that can come from them, but more importantly about realizing how truly priceless our time here on earth really is. Hands down another 5 out of 5 stars from Karen Kingsbury and another permanent addition to my personal library.

For more information about This Side of Heaven, Karen Kingsbury or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury

You can find Karen Kingsbury on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on This Side of Heaven, please visit Center Street Publishing's website. 

Cocoon

Very few people ever think that the wedding vows that they make to stay together in sickness and health, will ever happen sooner than later and in most cases hopefully never at all. But such was not the case between Seana Howard and Barth McGrath. To say that things began well would be simply an understatement for them both. Each had lost loves in their earlier lives and both were struggling with the fact that they would grow old alone. Seems fate does that quite a bit, bringing people together during the difficult times as almost a reward for their prolonged perseverance in times of hardship. You would also think that Seana's grown children, Zoe and Tim, would be more than thrilled that their mother would find love again and marry, but again this would not be the case.

For Seana and Barth, theirs would be a whirlwind romance, not because they wanted to get on with life, but because after previous marriages and their age, they felt they knew what was right for each of them, without considering that Seana's children would hopefully come to accept their marriage given enough time. But for some reason, Zoe felt that Barth was hiding something. All the questions she asked Barth about his previous life, seemed to go unanswered or he simply steered the conversation in other directions. So it was no wonder when she discovers that Barth's previous wife was murdered and he was considered the suspect, that he may not be suitable for her mother.

But love is blind and soon Seana and Barth felt that they needed to elope and find a way to let the kids and neighbors know about their marriage after the fact. Everyone couldn't have been happier for Seana except for Zoe and Tim. Even her grandchildren had come to accept Barth. Yet when Seana begins to take Barth's advice to make healthier choices when it comes to the food she eats and later begins to grow ill, with a diagnosis that even baffles her doctors, Zoe begins to think Barth is up to no good. It seems that the more time passes, the worse Seana gets, even though Barth vows to care for her no matter how bad things will get. Will he take his marriage vows all the way to the end if need be, or will Zoe find the proof she needs to prove to everyone that her fears about Barth are valid after all?

I received Cocoon by Emily Sue Harvey compliments of The Story Plant for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. This book will ask the hard questions that most of us that are married hope will never happen. How far would you go to care for the person you marry? How much time would you spend caring for their needs 24/7? What if there was no answer to why someone simply gives up the will to live? Is there hope and light at the end of the tunnel when everyone simply gives up? This novel has a great message behind it all and one that shows how hard faith can be when facing the darkness day after day and seeing no results. One worth exploring to the end! I easily give this one a 4 out of 5 stars!

For more information about Cocoon, Emily Sue Harvey or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Cocoon by Emily Sue Harvey

You can also follow Emily Sue Harvey on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Coccon, please visit Story Plant's website.