Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Injustice For All by Robin Caroll

Wow!! Where have I been that I have missed Robin Caroll? I must have been under a rock. Unbelievable! I can tell you that I have a new favorite added to my list of unputdownable suspense novels! This woman can pen a story. Seriously, once I began reading I didn't want to put this book down. When you're stirring soup over the stove with a book in your hand you know it's not only good, it's fantastic! 

The plot is continuously building and perfectly timed. Caroll doesn't just pen a story. She allows the reader the privilege of feeling as though you're right there with a 9mm in your hand. The characters are not only believable, but you want them as friends. Well, not the bad guys. Caroll sets the scene and invites us in to join her. The story holds a bit of everything. Faith, hope, love, friendship and trust. These characters face all of these. Some believing and some angry at God. Some living in hope and others searching. We see that love is lasting and begins with friendship. With these characters trust isn't always easy, but at times needed more than ever. We learn that if we are going to allow love we must allow trust. If we are willing to love we must be willing to be wounded. 

I love the bonds of friendship that we see within these pages. Each character brings something unique and combined they make this a page turner. You are missing out if you haven't read a novel penned by Robin Caroll. This novel is part of A Justice Seekers series. The next book in this series is To Write A Wrong, and concludes with the final book, Strand of Deception. I have these copies and am so excited to continue with these characters and journey with new characters that we have met in this first book of this series. 

This novel was a gift from B&H Publishing Group for sharing my review with you. 

Robin Caroll has authored twelve previous books including the Holt Medallion Award of Merit winner, Deliver Us From Evil. She gives back to the writing community by serving as Conference Director for American Christian Fiction Writers. A proud southerner, Robin lives with her husband, three daughters, and two precious grandsons in Arkansas.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Christmas At Rose Hill Farm (An Amish Love Story) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is queen of Amish fiction! You can never go wrong with a novel penned by this gifted writer who shares her heart through each character and brings us to places with such solace and joy. She weaves a story of love with her gift of bringing the reader to Rose Hill. I love visiting Stoney Ridge!  

The cover is so inviting. The story warm and affectionate. I love the characters and the journey they are taking. We can never run too far from God. He's always there to turn us around so we can have a clear vision of where home is. And yes, He always has a the perfect plan to bring us to exactly where we are to be. 

Who doesn't want to read about Christmas miracles? This is heartwarming and such a story of beauty and letting go of fears and what we think others expect of us. The main characters have a bit of regret. They can't exactly go backward, and moving forward carries a fear of it's own. Moving quickly and making decisions that we are not quite sure of can alter life in ways that cannot be changed. It's always best to wait upon the Lord and hear His wisdom and direction. But as we see, we get in hurry and we tire of waiting on others to change. So we jump in head first and then we are left wishing we would have waited. 

Something I love is that the main characters are brought together by something they both love. A rose. Unique in every way. As they are trying to figure it out, God is giving them time to figure themselves out and we witness a blossom that will stir your heart. 

This is a short novel. A wonderful afternoon read. An easy read that will remind you that miracles do happen and embracing a  Christmas spirit is just what the heart needs. 

This novel is a gift from Revell for sharing my review with you. 

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Letters, The Calling, the Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, includingAmish Peace. She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting. She is also a columnist for Christian Post andCooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Motherless by Erin Healy

I have read, "Kiss", and "Burn", by Erin Healy and Ted Dekker. Absolutely loved these novels! Took me for an amazing ride. So, after enjoying those copies I thought I would review, "Stranger Things". I must say, that although Erin is a talented writer, her writing style just isn't my cup of tea. I wanted to give her another try. When I seen, "Motherless", for review the cover intrigued me. The description grabbed my attention. 

I understand the premise of this novel. I usually never share any part of the story-line, but in order to share my truthful review I have to reveal just a bit. 

As the story begins my heart was right there on the edge of the cliff with the main character. I thought this was going to be a roller coaster ride, but after those first few pages I was lost. 

We have a mother who is on the edge. As the story begins it sounds like she is committing suicide. The story moves then to her husband who thinks he sees her. Obviously so many years later, with no body found, he is still grieving and still living with hope. But before that hope can even take off he is in a crash and his life has ended. Now the children are alone. And this is where the story picks up and takes off. But in the surrounding scenes there is the mother, with all of her regrets and deep raw pain. 

I love how the author takes  us on a journey of a mother who wishes she could have done things so much differently. A father, living in hope, but never getting the chance to see life unfold. We see the raw pain of the children and how the circumstances that has touched their lives have truly defined them. 

But this novel for me was very sporadic. So much imagery. There was nothing left for the imagination. Erin Healy takes the reader on a journey. That's for sure, but it's the writing style that kept me from truly enjoying this novel. You may pick up this selection and totally love it and embrace it and walk away with great lessons. I could never fully get into the story. The characters didn't grab me. With Erin's writing style the novel flows very fast. She loves descriptive words and takes them and weaves a scene before your eyes, but before I was even comfortable where I was I felt I was being whisked off to yet another place. 

This novel was a gift from Thomas Nelson for sharing my review with you. 

Erin Healy is the bestselling coauthor of Burn and Kiss (with Ted Dekker) and an award-winning editor for many bestselling authors. She is a member of ACFW and Academy of Christian Editors. Her novels include such thrilling stories as Never Let You Go, The Baker’s Wife, Stranger Things, and Motherless. She and her family live in Colorado. Facebook: erinhealybooks Twitter: @erinhealybooks

Love Without End by Robin Lee Hatcher

Robin Lee Hatcher has been an all time favorite for years. She is one of the first Christian writers that truly spoke to me. She writes easy and smooth. She tugs at the heart and creates a story that takes you on a heart journey. 

Each character brings something unique. They are characters we can relate to and understand. She brings us characters that have pasts and are trying to simply make it day by day. Circumstances out of their control has brought them to a place in time where trust is a huge issue. Neither character is looking for love, but as we see God is always at work in healing hearts and bringing new life. 

This is my first visit Kings Meadow and I hope it isn't my last. What a wonderful setting for a story. This novel is so much more than romance. It's healing, family, and finding solace in a world that doesn't always make sense. We see these characters give forgiveness in those that have wounded them. 

Another aspect that I really enjoyed about this novel was that Robin brought the children to the forefront of the story. Children who are hurting by the choices of others and in other ways just by the trials that life brings. The children have a great voice in this novel and I admire the characters for taking the attitude that there isn't time in giving up. They face their fears and anger. They struggle just as we do, but always knowing their children's well being and healing are of such great importance. 

A character I loved is Nana Anna. Meeting her and having Robin take us back in time to learn of her history and all the beauty she shares and brings to others that cross her path. I wish I walked with her character always. 

This is a sweet and tender novel that once again reminds us there is hope where there is faith and where faith lives there too love will be found. 

This novel is a gift from Thomas Nelson for sharing my review with you. 

Robin Lee Hatcher Bestselling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, two RT Career Achievement Awards, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 60 novels. Website: www.robinleehatcher.com Twitter: @robinleehatcher Facebook: robinleehatcher

The Holy Land Key by Ray Bentley with Genevieve Gillespie

This is one of those extraordinary books that everyone should read. Yes, it's that amazing! Prophesy. Some of us don't know much. We believe, but do we really believe God is unveiling to us things to come? Let's just say, without a doubt, God is forever and always speaking to us, His people, His creation. Ray Bentley brings this book to life with sharing personal stories and allowing us to be welcomed into the times he has shared in the holy land. He shares beauty of friendships that are not just happenstance. There are no coincidences. Everyone who has crossed Ray's path has been ordained by our God to bring us closer to understanding and uncovering His Word. 

Once I began reading there was no way I could put this book down. As I read, each chapter became more and more intriguing. These are not just Ray's thoughts and words. He backs up everything he shares with the Word of God. He inspired me to dig deeper into the Word and uncover new truths for myself. 

Something I found amazing was the meaning of the Sphinx and the Zodiac. I was blown away by all he shared. Astronomy is Biblical. I am in awe of God's creation and all He brings to us through the heavens He has created. There are messages for us to seek and understand for our future. Astrology is evil and takes the Zodiac way off base, but when looking at it Biblically the light bulb went off in my head and I was enlightened to such amazing aspects of God's glory. 

How can we understand what is taking place today unless we travel back? So much , the Arabs, Jews, and Christians, goes back to the beginning with Abraham and his two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. Truly, my eyes have been opened in such a new and curious way that I want to study more. I want to uncover more. Ray encourages us just not to study, but to step in and pray and seek God's will in how we participate and make a difference in Israel and the lives of the people. 

I have learned so much about the Arabs and the peoples living in the holy land. I just found this book to be so revealing and encouraging. It's one I highly recommend to all who seek to grow as the people God has created us to be. 

Ray speaks of the patterns and predictions in prophecy. He opens our minds up to going back to Columbus. He shares about 9/11 and the Holocaust. I believe this book is going to fascinate you!! 

This book was a gift from WaterBrook Multnomah for sharing my review with you. 

Ray Bentley's close ties with Israelis and Palestinians have given him a rare insiders perspective on the involvement of Jews, Arabs, and Christians in the events to come. A popular speaker, Bentley's feet-on-the-ground approach brings life and surprising insights to the study of ancient prophecies. The founding pastor of Maranatha Chapel near San Deigo, he also hosts the daily Maranatha Radio program broadcast nationally. 

Friday, November 7, 2014

David (90 Days With A Heart Like His) by Beth Moore

This signature series is simply amazing! I began the series studying, "Paul". (Check out my review). I was blown away by that study and had to see what the others held. There are four in all. Paul, David, John, and Jesus. I received the study of, "David", and was once again in awe of the book I held in my hands. 

Not only are these studies beautiful, they behold a wonderment that takes the reader on a personal journey of deep growth. In this case with the study of David, Beth takes our hand and heart and we travel together to growing a heart more like His. 

This study of David was intimate. We begin the study in 1 Samuel. We move to 2 Samuel and touch on many Psalms that correlate to the lesson and David's words. We take our journey through 1 Chronicles and end with Jeremiah. Beth doesn't take us verse by verse through every book I've mentioned, but she does share a valuable amount of scripture. Each study begins with the scripture for the lesson. Beth shares a few questions to ponder. I can tell you that these are deep questions that if enough time is given by the reader, opens the heart and allows the Spirit to speak. The lessons are one to two pages long and Beth ends each lesson with a beautiful prayer that is brought out with scripture. I love how she takes the scripture and teaches us to make it personal. 

This is a study for 90 days. You could easily begin each morning with study. End your day with study or just simply open it up and travel your way through any way you like. In doing a review it's hard to take 90 days, but I made my entire way through this study and feel that I know David as I've never known him before. 

We simply journey through the life of David. We see his moments of splendor where blessings flowed and those in which he was crying out to God. I loved this study. It brought me closer to truly understanding that Jesus loves me. He just loves me. It's nothing I do. I could never earn His love. I could never be perfect. What I can do is simply give Him my all, my heart, my love and with that blessings will surly flow from a God who is in total control of my life. 

I love how Beth teaches. She just makes everything personal. She brought David to life within these pages and encouraged me to dig deeper and to know him even more. As each lesson begins Beth gives us the scripture for the lesson, but what I really love is that she allows us to go as deep as we want. She meets us right where we are and takes us as far as we want to travel. This is a study I greatly suggest to those who love studying the Word. If you have read, A Heart Like His, this study will be familiar to you. But one that you will enjoy immensely. 

This study was a gift from B&H Publishing Group for sharing my review with you. 

Beth Moore is a writer and teacher of best-selling books and Bible studies whose public speaking engagements carry her all over the United States. A dedicated wife and mother of two adult daughters, Moore lives in Houston, Texas, where she is president and founder of Living Proof Ministries.

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