Valor’s Vigil by Hallee Bridgeman December 31, 2015

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Virtue and Valor Series #8

LEOPOLD SCHäFER, the only child of Major Charlene Radden and former spy, Karl Schäfer has trained his enter life for this moment in time. An American spy undercover in a Nazi uniform operating under the codename VALOR, he receives a promotion to Oberleutnant and a new duty assignment in charge of the prisoners in Occupied France’s Valeurville prison. In the wake of Marie Perrin, codename Temperance’s arrest, Leo must handle the situation with the utmost caution. On one hand, every instinct in his heroic mind screams to protect the beautiful wireless operator from the hands of the Nazis. On the other, he cannot risk compromising his cover. It takes quick thinking and not a small amount of prayer to shield her from the harsh interrogation tactics of the Schutzstaffel trained interrogator. While he personally sees to her health and safety, he realizes that more than his cover is at risk as his feelings for the beautiful spy grow. As her situation grows more grave, he must focus on the bigger picture and the whole mission and make the hardest decision of his life. Can he protect her without blowing his own cover, or will he place his own life in danger to keep her safe?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hallee Bridgeman is a best-selling Christian author who writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy. Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her.

My thoughts:

This is the first book I have ever read by Hallee, although  have wanted to for a long time, I just hadn’t gotten around to it.

I definitely love WWII stories so was excited to read this novella. I was worried I might be lost because this is series but I had no trouble grabbing a hold of the characters and what was going on.

In this short book we are thrown into some nail-biting situations that had me up late at night reading. I came to care for Valor easily and wanted him to succeed.

I wasn’t expecting the ending when it occurred. I was reading along and then my mind thought, wait this feels like a wrap up. I was disappointed because I wanted to the story to go on, but I guess that is good thing because I was enjoying it 🙂

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed WWII stories with a bit of romance.

Visit Hallee here. 

Grab your copy at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through The Book Club Network Inc. in exchange for an honest review. 

The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist by Andy Bannister December 29, 2015

ABOUT THE BOOK :  Addressing some of the more popular atheist sound bites about the Christian faith, The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist clears the space for a deeper and more honest discussion about the big questions of life.

Our culture now assumes that atheism is the default position—indeed, the only position for anyone who wishes to be seen as educated, contemporary, and urbane. In the media, atheism is usually portrayed as scientific and rational versus religion, which is seen as stuffy, outdated, and irrational.

Blending humor with serious thought, The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist will help readers to think a little deeper about the popular claims of atheism. Whether the reader is a Christian who desires to be able to start a conversation with secular friends or simply an agnostic dissatisfied with some of the arguments that pass for serious thought, Andy Bannister shows that when it comes to the most important questions of life, we need to move beyond simplistic sound bites.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andy Bannister is the Canadian director of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Based in Toronto, Andy speaks frequently across Canada, the United States, and Europe, in settings ranging from universities to business forums to churches. Before joining RZIM, he had a background in youth work and earned a PhD in Qur anic Studies.

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed Andy’s style of writing. He is taking something that many of us Christians shy away from or get nervous about and puts a new spin on it. A new way to approach this topic.

This book can easily be read by an atheist or a Christian. Andy pokes a lot of holes in the atheists belief or non-belief 🙂

This isn’t really a book to read for deeper spiritual growth (which is usually what I am drawn to) but definitely a great book to read to beef up on your beliefs and see atheism in a new way and a way that we can approach with confidence when we are challenged in our beliefs.

Visit Andy here.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, Books-A-Million, or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through The Book Club Network Inc. in exchange for an honest review. 

Catch of a Lifetime by Candee Fick December 28, 2015

ABOUT THE BOOK:

He breathes football. She shudders at the very mention of the sport. After a tragedy involving a football player destroyed her family, athletic trainer and graduate student, Cassie moves across the country looking for a fresh start, but a change in financial aid lands her in the middle of her worst nightmare. Meanwhile, rookie coach Reed worries his dream career will slip away as injuries plague his players and his star receiver teeters on the brink of ineligibility. As the two work together to salvage the season, sparks fly, and Reed must eventually choose between the game and the woman he loves.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Candee Fick is the wife of a high school football coach and the mother of three children, including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome. When not busy with her day job or writing, she can be found cheering on the home team at football, basketball, baseball, and Special Olympics games. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she has been a Genesis Award double finalist and winner over several years. 

My thoughts:

Over the last few years I have become a very vocal football fan and I’m not ashamed to admit it:) With my husband coaching football and my son playing the game I have learned a lot. So when I saw this book up for review I wanted to give it read.

I always love football movies so I admire Candee for tackling the job of writing a book about it.

I enjoyed both of the main characters. Cassie is trying to figure her way in the world and can’t seem to escape the world of football. Reed is also trying to prove that he has what it takes to be a coach even though it goes against his parents wishes.

The more I read this book the more I liked it. I will say I struggled a bit in the beginning to see these characters outside the football scene. I felt a little more dimension could have been added to these characters if we would have seen them outside of the football world earlier on in the book, like being in their homes, talking to non-football friends. It just seemed their landing place was the football field and I wanted them to have a different anchoring spot. But that is my opinion only.

If you enjoy football, or even just a romance that can’t happen but wants to this might be a book you’ll want to pick up.

Visit Candee here. 

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon.

A copy of this book was given to me through The Book Club Network Inc. in exchange for an honest review. 

 

Christmas Comes to Little Hickman Creek by Sharlene MacLaren December 24, 2015

Before I share my review today I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas! Enjoy the day and remember that Jesus came because you are dearly loved.

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Two years ago this Christmas, Sadie Bennett’s beloved husband was killed in a tragic accident at the local sawmill. What was once her favorite time of year now haunts her, with its cheerful trappings a cruel reminder of the love she lost. The young widow would like nothing more than to hibernate until the festivities are over. When she finds herself assigned to the committee tasked with picking a Christmas tree for the town square of Little Hickman Creek, she begrudgingly agrees but determines to fulfill her duties to the bare minimum. As the search for a suitable tree gets under way, Sadie is dismayed to learn that one of her fellow committee members is a man she’s worked hard to avoid. Reed Harris owns the local livery, and while he’s friendly enough, good-looking, too, Sadie isn’t ready to invest in another relationship. In fact, she may never be ready, unless a Christmas miracle manages to thaw her frozen heart.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Born and raised in western Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University, earning a degree in elementary teaching. In 1975, she married one of her childhood friends, and together they raised two lovely daughters. Now happily retired from 31 years of teaching,”Shar” enjoys reading, singing, traveling, and spending time with her husband, children, and precious grandchildren.

About:

This is a sweet, quick Christmas read. Sharlene paints a quaint picture of Little Hickman Creek and its residents.

Reed is a wonderful hero, who patiently pursues Sadie.

Sadie was a bit hard for me to read. She hung on to her past so much and seemed determined not to enjoy life or all the blessings around her. So I will say at first I didn’t care for her. But as the book went on and she opened up more I started liking her character a bit more.

This book is a good reminder that we can’t let the things in the past stop us from embracing our present and future.

Visit Sharlene here.

Grab you copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, Books-A-Million, Deeper Shopping or  your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me by The Book Club Network Inc. in exchange for an honest review. 

 

Home, Hearth and the Holidays by Melody Carlson December 23, 2015

About:

With holidays approaching in the charming town of Appleton, and Daphne Ballinger’s deadline to “get hitched” drawing closer, Daphne finds herself happily distracted with the unexpected tasks of “motherhood” Young Mable is enjoying the attention, but the clock is ticking and unless love comes her way, Daphne’s delightful life will start unraveling by spring.

My thoughts:

I was so excited to see this book release I purchased this one myself so I could read it and review it. I love this series and was worried when it had been awhile since a book at been released.

If you haven’t read the first two you might want to, they are great, and really give you the backstory on what is happening now.

Daphne is still on the hunt of a husband but I love that she isn’t willing to settle for just any guy. She is confused but one thing she isn’t confused about is the love she has for Mable, that little girl has captured her heart.

Melody does a great jog of keeping the reader in total limbo about what man Daphne should and will end up with, I felt as confused as Daphne.

It was great meeting up with these characters again around Christmas time!

Visit Melody here. 

Grab your copy at Amazon.

Untamed by Jason Clark December 22, 2015

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Take the Limits off Your Dreams and Unleash Your Faith

You were made for more. Don’t you sense it?

There is a desire in every human heart to be part of something bigger and greater than themselves. We search in many different places, hoping we can fulfill this longing. We chase after careers, relationships, family, possessions, status, and addiction. Some pursuits are good, some are destructive—none of them can ultimately satisfy the cry of your heart.

Get ready to start living Untamed and…

• Trade your life of striving for God’s journey of abundance and adventure
• Experience freedom to pursue radical dreams
• Overcome your fears, take wild risks and experience the impossible
• Live out the promises God has placed within you

You were created to dream… and dream big. Discover how to take the limits off your dreams and start experiencing the abundant life that you were made for!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jason Clark is a singer/songwriter, an author, a speaker, and a pastor. Jason’s passion is to know the love of God more each day. He lives to see a generation step into their identity as sons and daughters of the King and establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their three children. For more information on Jason’s books or albums go to:www.jasonclarkis.com or www.afamilystory.org.

My thoughts:

This is one of the best non-fiction books I have read. Jason writes in a style that grabbed me. He mixes personal story with application and that is what keeps me engaged.

This book will open your eyes to living a life of surrender to Jesus and there is no better way to live. Especially in this season in my life where things are so unsettled for me, yet I know I’m where need to be.

Here is one of many quotes that spoke to me from page 86 and 87: “What I’ve begun to realize is that though I want to see God move miraculously, I rarely allow myself to be in a situation where I need a miracle. Though I desire to live in untamed faith, I am rarely willing to position myself in discomfort. Years ago I decided I couldn’t define success by how comfortable I am. There must always be something in my life I believe for, something that’s bigger than me, bigger than my abilities and resources.”

This paragraph goes on but you’ll just have to read the book to get the rest.

If you are believing God for a promise I encourage you to read this book and keep holding on.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, Books-A-Million, Deeper Shopping or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through The Book Club Network Inc. in exchange for an honest review. 

Amish Christmas at North Star December 17, 2015

About This Book

One night four lives entered the world by the hands of an Amish midwife, just outside North Star, Pennsylvania.

Rebekah’s Babies, as they are called, are now grown adults and in four heartwarming novellas each young person experiences a journey of discovery, a possibility of love, and the wonder of Christmas.

Guiding Star by Katie Ganshert
Curiosity gets the best of Englischer Chase Wellington when he investigates the twenty-five-year-old disappearance of an Amish baby. When he finds adventurous Elle McAllister in Iowa will his discoveries upend her world?

Mourning Star by Amanda Flower
Eden Hochstetler slips from her parents’ fudge shop to investigate the death of her friend Isaac.  Who is guilty? Isaac’s handsome great nephew Jesse, an angry Englischer, or someone else?

In the Stars by Cindy Woodsmall
Heartbroken Kore Detweiler avoids North Star after Savilla Beiler rejects his love.  But when he is unexpectedly called to return home, he and Savilla must join forces to keep a family together.

Star of Grace by Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark
Andy Danner left North Star to join a new Amish settlement in Mississippi. His little brother devises a scheme to bring Andy home for Christmas and unwittingly unleashes the power of forgiveness in a reclusive widower’s life.

My thoughts:

This is a wonderful collection of stories by great authors.

The neat thing about this book is that all the novellas are connected by a prologue in the beginning. It begins with the birth of four babies and then we catch up with them almost twenty-five years later.

I am a fan of Katie Ganshert so I was interested in how she would write an Amish story. Well, her main characters aren’t Amish so it had the feel of her other books,which are fabulous.

The only author I had never read anything by before was Amanda Flower. I found her story to be just as good as the rest with a bit of mystery thrown in.

If you are looking for some Christmas stories this season this book is a must read.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, Books-A-Million or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. 

 

Exposing God Amidst the Chaos by James Barr December 15, 2015

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

Is God fair? Is He loving? Would a fair and loving God take His sick child and eternally torture that child for being born sick?
This is the current view of God now portrayed to the world.
Could our perception of God be wrong?
Let’s pull back the curtain and take a closer look at our God of love.
If you are afraid of God, someone is lying to you.
This is what God wants you to know about His plans for you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

“An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.” — Nikki Giovanni That certainly describes James Bars as he came to the end of self-sufficiency. When life became meaningless and desperation consumed him, James began a search for hope, purpose, meaning and wholeness. It is not by any virtue that James Bars has discovered how to help others. Rather his failures are the bedrock upon which God began to reach him and move him to share the hard lessons learned. You are on planet earth. You know many of the same struggles. But do you know the Way up? Do you have a system for success?

My thoughts:

This book does a great job of showing the fall of man from the beginning. How the enemy came to be and God’s reaction to this betrayal, His great sadness.

I took many things away from this book. One is that God never angry at us but He is angry for us and all we have to endure because of the fall.

A couple of things I underlined that impacted me are on page 11: “Living by God’s design, you will enjoy a state of nearly constant peace with others, peace within, and peace with  Him, that expands harmoniously with each new sunrise.”

I personally have found this to be true in my own life.

Then on page 27 the author is talking about the enemy: “He had walked away from God’s ways and distorted faith into fear. He liked it. He saw it as a useful tool in his campaign against the kingdom. He still does.”

Powerful stuff right there. Faith into fear.

This is a few quick read but packs a powerful punch.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through The Book Club Network Inc. in exchange for an honest review. 

Love’s Gift by Multiple Authors December 14, 2015

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Eight Christian romance novellas celebrating the true meaning of Christmas! Each of thesenever-before-released inspirational romances has an uplifting holiday message that will help you relax, forget your worries, and focus on the real meaning of Christmas: Jesus, God’s gift to the world. Join eight beloved Christian romance writers as they weave tales about all kinds of Christmas romance.
Can you go home again for Christmas? Belle Calhoune’s inspirational romance novella says yes, and it’s particularly exciting when you find your Mistletoe in Montana.

Debra Lynn Collins wonders if you can actually give someone a man for Christmas… and A Match Made for Christmas is one Christian romance that answers that question!

Valerie Comer introduces us to a disillusioned toy store clerk and a mall Santa who don’t see eye-to-eye on the whole Christmas season, but that’s nothing a few Merry Kisses can’t cure.

And Christina Coryell’s Unwrapped takes traditional Christmas celebrations to the next level when heroine Trina Miller falls for her best friend’s brother.

If you like Christian fiction with hospital settings, Heather Gray’s An Informal Christmas will warm your heart as her hero and heroine overcome their differences to help sick kids.

Christmas isn’t everyone’s favorite time of year. In fact, Christmas light displays take on a whole new meaning when you hate Christmas! But the hero of Elizabeth Maddrey’s Christian romance novellaOperation Mistletoe won’t let heroine Victoria Spencer stay a Scrooge for long.

In the Christian romance A Bond for the Holidays, a family almost falls apart when a terrible secret is revealed… but this inspirational novella by Lee Tobin McClain shows how God’s love can work a miracle.

Maybe you prefer celebrating Christmas 365 days a year in the Smoky Mountains. In Krista Phillips’inspirational holiday novella, A (kinda) Country Christmas a woman does just that—until a handsome, world traveler shows up and ruins everything. 

My thoughts:

What an amazing collection of Christmas stories. I can’t even pick a favorite because quite honestly they are all excellent stories.

I will say A Bond for the Holidays really pulled me in quickly and I didn’t want to stop reading. That one might have had the most unique plot.

But truly, you can’t go wrong with any of these sweet Christmas romances. If you enjoy a good Christmas story then you will adore this collection. I highly recommend downloading these Christmas tales and sit back and enjoy some Christmas spirit.

Grab your copy at Amazon.

A copy of this book was given to me through The Book Club Network Inc. in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas — State of Mind December 11, 2015

Happy Friday Everyone!

Today I thought I would share a post I received from another blog. I love the quote at the beginning and the reminder that Christmas is something we should have in our hearts all year long as believers.

I hope you will be blessed by it.

Click here.