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The Gate by Dann A. Stouten--If you like the Shack, you'll like this!

  This is an encouraging, eye-opening story!  Schuyler Hunt decides to check out a vacation cottage he saw advertised while his wife and daughters go on a shopping trip.  The place feels strangely familiar and he discovers that he's found a little piece of heaven.  Through the owners and some visitors from his past, he'll reflect on where he's been and learn some life lessons for the journey ahead.

This is an interesting story about a Christian man who thinks he has it all together, but finds that he may not have it all figured out.  I liked meeting the different people from his past and learning along with him the important lessons they had to teach.  Different memories he reflected on added layers to his story and some were very touching.  Both the author and Schuyler had careers in the auto industry, so there's a bit of car love in the story, which gave it a unique touch.  This book made me reflect on my own journey and I plan to take his lessons to heart.

I received this book free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.

Available April 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revealing Jesus by Darlene Zschech

 This is a beautiful devotional by the worship leader for Hillsong and writer of "Shout to the Lord!"  Inspired by her own journal entries, she focuses on a wide variety of topics.  This hardcover devotional covers a whole year, with a Bible verse, the devotion, and a brief prayer on each page. 

I liked the fact that each devotion was short and wouldn't take long at all to read.  It's also handy that the Bible verse is written out.  Though the thoughts aren't unique, they are encouraging and truth-filled.  This is a gorgeous book and would make a great gift.

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White

This is a witty romance about Winter Reeves, a young woman forced by her grandparents into acting like someone she's not.  She sides with the patriots during the Revolutionary War, but her Loyalist grandparents just want her to make a good match to bolster their reputation and connections.  She's forced to pretend that she's dumb and doesn't think for herself, which ends up becoming a great cover for being a spy.  She hears all kinds of juicy information she passes along, but when she meets Bennet Lane, he notices something doesn't quite add up.  Bennet is in town to uncover the spy feeding information to General Washington and realizes courting a woman in high society is the perfect cover, if only he could talk to them!  He decides to pursue Winter because there's nothing he loves more than a good puzzle. 

I really enjoyed the witty banter between Winter and Bennet.  I loved their unique characters, the spy activities,  the focus on prayer, and that God cares about our daily lives.  It was interesting to read that Roseanna used a lot of real historical figures in her story and that the Culper Ring really existed and possibly still does!  I'm definitely looking forward to checking out more of her books and can't wait for the next one in this series!

I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

 

America’s First Spies by Roseanna M. White

When we think of spies today, we usually conjure up images of debonair men in tuxedos, or perhaps action heroes with razor-sharp instincts. We think of technologically advanced gadgets, intimidating weapons, and carefully plotted missions. But until recently, espionage wasn’t considered a glamorous or even interesting profession. It was filthy. Shameful. Would only be entered into by the lowest of the low—because how could anyone who sold information possibly be trustworthy?

In the days of the Revolution, General George Washington found himself in a familiar but tight spot. He desperately needed to know what the British were doing, and the information he got from military scouts was not enough. There were, as always, those base creatures willing to sell what they knew to the highest bidder, but Washington knew well how inaccurate their information usually was. And whenever he did locate good sources, it seemed the British always found them out and arrested them. What he needed were trustworthy spies. Honorable spies. Anonymous spies.

Washington turned to one of his officers with a proposition—if Benjamin Tallmadge could put together a group of men who were virtuous and could devise a system for them to remain undiscovered, then he would be put in charge of all Patriot intelligence.

Tallmadge had never had a day of training in this sort of thing, but he knew well the consequences of failure—his friend from Yale had been hanged by the British when he was caught scouting out of uniform. The penalty for espionage was, quite simply, death. So secrecy was his top priority. And when one wants to keep a secret, to whom does one turn but one’s closest friends?

Soon Tallmadge had put together his band of honorable men, men willing to take a great risk to aid the country and the cause they so loved. His primary intelligencer at the start was Abraham Woodhull, a Long Island farmer who grew up in the same town as Tallmadge. Woodhull had recently been arrested for sneaking produce to the black market trade in the British-held city of New York, and he was happy to be released in exchange for his assistance. He was given the code-name Samuel Culper, and all correspondence pertaining to “the business” called him such. Woodhull had a sister living in New York, which gave him a perfect excuse to make frequent trips to the city where he could observe British movement for Washington and Tallmadge. But the trips were expensive and the expenses never repaid, so he was soon looking for someone else to take over behind enemy lines.

Woodhull had become well acquainted by that time with a Quaker shopkeeper by the name of Robert Townsend. Townsend owned a popular dry goods store, stock in a popular Loyalist coffee shop, and also worked for a newspaper—all of which put him in a perfect position to overhear sensitive information from the masses of soldiers. Dubbed Samuel Culper, Jr., Townsend joined the Culper Ring and became its star. Here was a man of integrity, one who reported solid facts without opinion, without exaggeration, without fear. Here was a man with his pulse on British New York.

Here was a man with an anxiety disorder as yet unnamed, which he referred to as “black moods.” A man who spent much of his life governed by nerves, by fear, by melancholy. A man we today would deem a most unlikely hero. Yet it’s the information he passed along time and again that gave the Patriots the edge they needed to win a war.

Other members of the Ring included a die-hard sailor who was such an adventurous, robust character that he refused to use any code name. He was Caleb Brewster, he said to his childhood chum Tallmadge, and would be nothing else. Caleb Brewster the fisherman, the sailor, the soldier, and now the transporter of information. He was the one who took the messages from Long Island, across the pirate-infested sound, and to Patriot territory. Where he put them into the hand of Austin Roe, a farmer-cum-soldier from the same Long Island town.

They had only a tossed-together code that Tallmadge devised, one that would have been easily cracked. A handful of men willing to take risks. And a recipe for invisible ink that could only be developed with a specific counter-agent, which saved their necks time and again. But they had a will, a faith, and a determination. And most importantly, they had a bond of friendship that guaranteed that most important tool of all—anonymity.

Though they operated for years under the very noses of the British, the Culper Ring was never discovered. The Redcoats knew there were spies among them and sought them out relentlessly, but never once did they stumble upon the truth of the agents’ identities. The Culpers remained, till the end of the war, General Washington’s most trusted spies. And so they redefined the very word. No longer was it a badge of shame—they had made it into a badge of honor.

And because they were protected by bonds of blood and friendship, they remain so shrouded in mystery that no one is quite sure what became of them after the Revolution...or if perhaps their predecessors still walk among us today.

Mountain Homecoming by Sandra Robbins

This is a historical romance about Rani Martin, a young woman living in Cades Cove, in the Smoky Mountains.  She's content there on the land she loves with her wonderful parents, but wonders if she'll fall in love someday.  When she meets a man near a run-down farm, she assumes he's a stranger to the cove but realizes he's the boy her parents have talked about for years.  Matthew Jackson left the cove twenty years ago, after his drunkard of a father died.  He's always wanted to come back but never dreamed that he might find love.  He feels too ashamed of his past, not to mention the legacy his father left.  Will he find a home and someone to share it with?

I liked the setting of this story and the interactions of the different characters.  I was a bit frustrated with both Rani and Matthew at different times but they redeemed themselves.  There were some sweet moments between them I enjoyed.  I liked the insight into her parents' lives, also, and found out that the first book in the series was about them, though it's not necessary to read them in order.  I liked the theme of forgiveness, the importance of forgiving others and yourself.

I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Take a Chance On Me by Susan May Warren

   This is an amazing story about second chances at love and the importance of forgiveness.  Darek Christiansen is the oldest in a large family, trying to keep their resort in Minnesota in the black.  He's also a widower with a young son, angry and bitter at his best friend Jensen, who accidentally killed her.  When he meets Ivy Madison, the new assistant county attorney, he has no idea that it was her plea bargain that gave Jensen community service instead of jail time.  All he knows is that she might be his second chance.  Ivy loves the sense of family and community she finds in Deep Haven, especially since she grew up in foster homes, but she's terrified the truth will come out about her involvement in the case.  She's falling for Darek and his little boy, but can he forgive her when he learns the truth?

 

Jensen may not have gone to jail, but he feels like he's been in prison for the last three years.  Trapped in Deep Haven in order to do his community service, he feels like everyone hates him and he can't wait to leave until he reunites with Claire, Darek's wife's best friend.  Could he get a second chance with her, Darek, and the town he loves?

 

I loved this story set in the cozy town of Deep Haven.  This is a new series that spins off of the Deep Haven novels, focusing on the Christiansen family, but will have cameos of characters from the other novels.  The way Susan writes emotions and scenes bring the story to life.  I fell in love with the characters and was rooting for them to find the forgiveness and love they searched for.  I really want to live in Deep Haven, but reading this story is the next best thing.  I can't wait for the next book in the series!

 

I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

 

Author Q & A

Susan May Warren

&

Take a Chance on Me

1.

This is the first installment in a brand new six book series. Can you give us a bit of background on this

series?

 

I love stories about families watching the members interact and grow together through

challenges and victories and I conceived this series as I watched my own children begin to grow

up and deal with romance and career and futures. I love Deep Haven, and it’s the perfect setting

for a resort, so I crafted a family, much like the families I know, who run a resort. They want to

pass on their legacy to their children...but their children don’t know if they want it. It’s sort of a

parallel theme to the legacy of faith we instill in our children. As they grow older, they need to

decide whether it is their faith too. It’s a saga about family and faith and what happens when

those collide with real life.

2.

This Christiansen Family series is set in Deep Haven, Minnesota. Tell us about this setting.

Deep Haven, Minnesota is based in a small vacation town in northern Minnesota where I spent

my childhood. It’s located on Lake Superior, surrounded by pine and birch and the sense of small

town and home. Populated by everyone from artists to lumberjacks, it’s Mitford, or perhaps

Northern Exposure gone Minnesotan. Quaint, quirky and beautiful, it’s the perfect place to

escape for a vacation

.

3.

What was your inspiration for this particular book and the main character Darek

Christiansen?

As I started to put together this series, I began to think about our culture and our children today.

I started to take a look at the big questions we are faced with as parents and as young people;

the issues that affect us as a culture, as well as personally. I wanted these books to go beyond

family drama, beyond a great romance to raise bigger questions and stir truths that we might

pass along to others. This story is about our propensity in our culture to blame others for what

goes wrong in our lives and how this alienates us from each other, and ultimately, God. Darek

is the oldest brother in the family; the leader and a real hero. He’s a wildland firefighter and a

widower who’s had to give up his job to come home and run the resort and care for his young

son. Darek doesn’t realize he has a problem he lives with anger on his shoulder, hating the

man who killed his wife (his best friend). His real problem is that he can’t forgive himself.

In this first story, readers meet the family, hang out at the resort and discover that God can redeem

even a heart of stone, if we take a chance on Him.

4.

What lessons or truths will your readers find in the pages of this novel?

 

This book is for the person who feels they just can’t get past the anger they have for someone

else to live in joy again. It’s for parents who see their children making bad choices and don’t

know where to turn. It’s for people who believe that no one will ever really love them because of

who they are, or the things they’ve done. It’s for people who need the courage to take a second

chance on love and faith and family. I’m hoping readers walk away with a sense of how much

God loves them, and thatyes, He can heal the angry and brokenhearted.

5.

How do you expect

this new series to resonate with your audience? How do you want your books to

make them feel?

 

Great question!

I love a story that brings me on an emotional journey from anger to laughter to hope.

But most of all, I want readers to be wrapped up in joy, that feeling we get when watch

our football team win, or when we’re hands up in a convertible on a hot summer day, or digging

our feet into a sandy beach, or hugging our loved one when they return ho

me. Ah. The sense that, just for a moment, all is right in the world and everything tastes and feels delicious.

I write romances, and in the end it’s worth the journey to the happily ever after.

6.

As a writer, what did you particularly enjoy about

crafting this story?

I loved Darek’s transformation. His relationship with his son is so precious, but when he truly lets

go of his anger, he becomes the hero I always knew he could be. I love writing about broken

heroes who find healing.

7.

What advice do you have for budding novelists?

 

Read! Then write the book you’d like to read. But, along the way, learn the craft. In fact, a

good writer never stops learning.

8.

What is the best advice or encouragement that you have received?

 

Just keep writing. If you want to be a career novelist, you just have to keep writing.

9.

In your writing career, what are you most proud of?

 

After over forty novels,

I’m always striving to keep the stories fresh and unique; so I guess I’m proud that

every book is bathed in prayer, has a message singular to that story, and has unique

characters and journeys. Every story is a new adventure for me, and the reader. 

 

Chapter one excerpt 

 

Author Video Trailer 

 

 

 

Love at Any Cost by Julie Lessman

Loved it!  Cassidy McClare has just gone from the frying pan into the fire!  A Texas oil heiress whose wells have run dry, she's jilted by a fortune-hunter when he finds out her fortune's gone.  She flees to San Francisco to spend time with her cousins, aunt, and uncle and meets Jamie McKenna, another pretty boy also in search of a fortune.  What he doesn't know is that she's broke.  Will Jamie choose love or money and will Cassie ever be able to trust a man again?

I loved this story! Julie's created another family to fall in love with in the McClare's!  Cassidy is a fun and feisty character and Jamie is very swoon-worthy.  There's a great sub-plot about another romance in the family.  The detail in the facial expressions and banter really make the characters come alive.  I loved the twist near the end; I did not see it coming!  There's plenty of passion and romance in this great historical love story!  Don't miss it!

I received this book free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.

Available April 15, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

John Newton by John Crotts

This is a short, informative biography about John Newton, slave ship captain and writer of "Amazing Grace."  We learn about his childhood, the many times his life was miraculously spared, and about his ministry.  The author points out lessons we can learn from his life.  The chapters focusing on the many hymns and letters he wrote are especially interesting as they explore the topics he focused on.

Even though John Newton wrote one of my favorite hymns, "Amazing Grace," I barely knew anything about him.  I liked learning about his interactions with other famous preachers of the day, such as John Wesley and George Whitefield.  I learned a lot about his life and influence.  I'm glad I read this and found out what an amazing life he led!

I received this book free from Cross Focused Reviews in exchange for an honest review.

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Dandelions on the Wind by Mona Hodgson

This is a cute historical novella about romance and life after the Civil War.  Maren has been helping Mrs. Brantenberg care for her four-year-old granddaughter Gabi and helping on her farm in Missouri in exchange for room and board.  She came over from Denmark as a mail-order bride, but when her eyesight started failing her, so did her intended.  He broke the engagement and she was stuck without a way to buy a ticket home.  Woolly, Gabi's father, left to fight in the war after his wife died giving birth to Gabi.  He shows up hoping for a second chance with his daughter and mother-in-law, but may find love as well.

There's also some foreshadowing of the next novella's story, which is about Emilie, a young woman in a quilting circle with Maren, Mrs. Brantenberg, and many other women.  She's content to work in her father's store and take care of him.  She's thought about romance, but she's far too busy, and no one's interested anyway.  Her father decides she needs to go to college and we'll have to read the next story to find out what happens.

I found the characters believable and the setting peaceful.  I liked all of the characters and was cheering for Woolly to be welcomed back home and for a romance to develop between the couple.   I would have liked a bit more romance, though.  I find this time period fascinating and enjoyed learning more about the aftermath of the war.  I wish the story would have been longer and look forward to the next novella in The Quilted Heart series.  This is only available as an e-book for $1.99!

I received this e-book free from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.

I'd really appreciate it if you would rate my review!  Thank you!

Heart in Hand by Barbara Cameron

  This is a sweet Amish romance about a second chance for love.  Anna is a young widow who lost her husband to leukemia two years ago.  What has helped her through are her two cousins, their grandmother, and the craft shop they run together, along with her faith in God.  When widower Gideon Beiler comes into the shop with his young daughter looking for a craft they can do together, she helps them choose knitting and a friendship begins.  As the three spend more time together, friendship turns to romance, but can Anna risk losing someone again?

I enjoyed this third book in the Stitches in Time Series, but not as much as the first two.  It wasn't as light of a story as I was expecting and I thought she would be a little more feisty based on her personality in the other books.  It was fun to see what's happening in the lives of her cousins and grandmother, who were all featured in the first two books.  This is a cozy story for romance lovers.

I received this book free from Abingdon Press in exchange for an honest review.

A Matter of Trust by Lis Wiehl with April Henry

  This is a very enjoyable mystery about a prosecutor trying to solve her best friend's murder!  Mia Quinn is talking to Colleen, her coworker and best friend, on the phone when she hears a gunshot on the other end of the line.  She ends up investigating the case partly because she knew both Colleen and another prosecutor killed four years ago in the same way, which was never solved.   Detective Charlie Carlson is assigned to her as they dig for commonalities between the victims and also investigate a case involving a teenage boy who committed suicide after being bullied.  Mia's not sure she can trust Charlie to do his job above-board. and her home life is just as stressful with being a recent widow, buried under debt, juggling a rebellious teenage son, and a four-year-old who starts screaming in her sleep.

I liked the varied aspects to this story, from Mia's struggles at home to the investigations into both cases.  She deals with real-life issues of trying to do all and be all as a single parent.  There's a possibility of romance with two men and I liked being shown some of their perspectives also.  Mia's father  is a new Christian, which she finds confusing and surprising, and I look forward to seeing where that goes in future books. The investigations were very interesting;  I liked the description of their procedures but also the emotional depth the cases brought to the story as a whole.  Lis Wiehl is a former federal prosecutor, so she's knowledgeable about her topic and a good writer as well!  I'm definitely looking forward to more in this series and to checking out her other books.

I received this book free from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Indelible audio by Kristen Heitzmann, read by Kirsten Potter

I loved this book!  Natalie Reeve's toddler nephew is grabbed by a mountain lion while hiking with her, her brother, and sister-in-law.  Trevor McDaniel, a high-country outfitter who dabbles in search-and-rescue,  happens to be on the mountain and rescues him.  Trevor has a compulsion to rescue people due to a horrific accident from his past, and he's drawn to Natalie, a sculptor with eidetic memory who releases the images she sees into the clay.

Someone soon views Trevor as an archangel and nemesis.  He starts receiving disturbing pictures of children in trouble and when children in his own community, along with Natalie, are threatened, they must work with the police chief to figure out who it is and how to stop them.  There are also very interesting minor characters, especially Fleur, a blind woman who paints. 

I loved the varied, flawed characters in this story and the different perspectives we're shown.  There's so much emotion portrayed and I was fascinated by Natalie's eidetic memory, Fleur's life, Trevor's emotional baggage, even a minor character's struggle with germs and phobias.  There was almost a poetic feel to the descriptions of scenery in the beautiful Colorado mountains and the sections that talked about the disturbed man felt very foreboding.  This book is actually a sequel to Indivisible, which I wasn't aware of when listening, but I did feel that I should know who some of the characters were already.  It worked very well as a stand-alone, but I can't wait to read the first one and get to know some of the other characters better.  Kirsten Potter does an amazing job reading this story, changing her voice for each character and giving it a haunting quality that fit so well.  This is a beautifully written romantic suspense that I definitely recommend!

I'd really appreciate it if you would rate my review!  Thank you!

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Angelguard by Ian Acheson

This is an exciting, action-packed novel that shows what's really going on behind the scenes of our world!  Jack Haines is in the middle of a war.  First, he's hurt in one of three bomb blasts that occur in Sydney, Los Angeles, and London.  He loses his wife and two of his children.  Then, months later and on the road to recovery, he meets two others who miraculously survived the other blasts.  There's a reason they've been brought together, but for what? He discovers some information that leads him to suspect another attack is imminent.  Meanwhile, in the supernatural realm, angels and demons are fighting all around them as good and evil fight for the upper hand.

I liked the action in the story.  There are a lot of characters to keep track of, which could get a bit confusing, but there is a character guide in the front to help out.  The story focuses more on action than on character development, and I would have liked there to be more of a balance.  I really liked the emphasis on prayer and how that was shown to make a huge difference in these battles.  There are a few instances of swearing, which I don't like to see in a Christian novel.  This is an entertaining and exciting read from a first-time author!

I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review.


Excerpt
Book Trailer

Ian Acheson Bio

Ian’s debut novel, Angelguard, is available now in the USA, Canada and the UK. It will be released in Australia in May. It’s been 10 years in the making and he’s very pleased it’s made the light of day.

Ian reads a lot, and a lot, and a lot more. He’s been telling and writing stories for most of his life since early childhood.

When Ian’s not writing he’s a professional strategy consultant having been in the Corporate world for the past 25 years. He brings some of this experience into his stories. He’s lived in Sydney, Australia, all of his life. Ian shares life with his wife, Fiona and they try to keep up with two almost-twenty something young men who give them much joy and you know what else if you’re a parent.

You can keep in touch with Ian at:

Website: http://ianacheson.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/achesonian

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianachesonauthor

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6483090.Ian_Acheson

Book Trailer : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB7S-GXotNE

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Her Good Name by Ruth Axtell

This is a very enjoyable historical romance about a privileged young man groomed to take over his father's empire and a girl from the wrong side of the tracks.  Warren Brentwood returns home from a couple years abroad to run his father's mill, but he starts to have doubts about his future.  Espy is thrilled to see the boy she's had a crush on for years.  She tries to catch his eye and when they're thrown together for a volunteer club, she thinks this might be her chance.  However, when she takes a job as a maid at a professor's home, she's soon placed in a compromising position, and flees town.  She's rescued by a missionary couple in the city, but wonders if her name will ever be cleared and if she will ever return home.

I really liked the characters and the realistic way they're portrayed, though I was a little frustrated with some things they both said. I enjoyed the focus on doing things for others and the spiritual transformations these two underwent.  I also appreciated Warren's struggle with what he should do for a living.  This book really shows how important your reputation is, especially in a small town where everyone knows you.  Don't miss out on this well-written story!

I received this book free from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

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The Dance by Dan Walsh & Gary Smalley

This is a touching story about a marriage in trouble and about one man's journey to save it.  When Jim's wife Marilyn walks out after twenty-seven years of marriage, he's in shock.  He feels blindsided and angry and worries how this will affect his career and the way people look at him.  Marilyn has everything money can buy, but hasn't felt loved by Jim in a long time.  Nothing she says gets through to him, so she moves out, gets a job, and starts taking dance lessons, two things she's wanted to do for a long time.  Jim meets an unexpected person who will not only open his eyes to how he's treated his wife and children, but just may help him win her back.

I really enjoyed this story that shows it's not too late to save a marriage as long as you're willing to work at it.  I liked seeing how Jim changed throughout the story and the insight he gained as he really scrutinized the reasons for things he said and did.  It was well-written and I liked that we see both of their perspectives.  This is the first book in The Restoration Series.  I'd highly recommend it.

I received this book free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.

Available April 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Learning to Love by Heidi & Rolland Baker

  This is an incredibly inspiring story about a group of missionaries serving in Mozambique, but also an encouragement for what we can do wherever we are.  Heidi and Rolland Baker are the founders of Iris Ministries, through which they see God miraculously feed over 10,000 children every day.  They have also started over 10,000 churches, Bible schools, and primary schools.  They describe their day-to-day activities, in which they travel to different villages to show the Jesus Film, preach, heal, and love everyone they come across.  Their aim is to stop for the one in front of them, to show love through action and meeting basic needs.

The stories in this book are amazing.  God's power is so evidently seen every day in this ministry.  It was incredible to see the miraculous things God is doing today and to be encouraged that God can use anyone if they're willing.

I received this book free from Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review.

Invisible by Ginny L. Yttrup

This is an amazing story about three women whose lives intertwine and influence each other as they struggle to realize they are made in God's image.   Ellyn is a chef and cafe owner who loves food, especially butter.  She's overweight and all she can believe about herself are the lies her inner voice tells her.  When a handsome doctor shows an interest in her, she assumes there must be an ulterior motive.  Sabina looks like she has it all together, but she has left her counseling practice and husband to come to Northern California for a year to heal, though to Ellyn it looks more like hiding.  Twila is on the road to recovery in her struggle with anorexia, but when she experiences a setback, she must fight with God's help instead of hide.

This story is an eye-opener and really shows how important it is that we know we are created in God's image and that we believe what He tells us in the Bible.  When we see ourselves the way God sees us, it's incredibly freeing.  The story is told from the perspectives of the three women, plus the doctor, and I loved getting the insight into what each of the characters were thinking and feeling. Each voice is distinctive and her writing excellent.  I laughed over Ellyn's funny one-liners and cried over each of their struggles.  There are some awesome quotes from St. Augustine at the beginning of each chapter.  I loved each of the characters and was sorry to see the book end.  This is definitely one to read and savor.

I received this book free from Handlebar Central in exchange for an honest review.

Free E-Books!

 Free for kindle!  Check price before you buy because I'm not sure how long it's free.  This is an excellent story.  Read my review here: http://shopgirl152ny.blogspot.com/2013/03/unholy-hunger-by-heather-james.html


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Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl

This is an interesting look at the Mennonite view of non-violence, no matter the circumstances.  Would you still stand by your convictions if a loved one was in danger? The town of Kingdom is about to find out.  Someone has been setting fire to churches in the area and Hope Kauffman is threatened.  She, her fiance, and a man she's started to have feelings for are forced to decide how far they'll go to protect themselves and others.

This book really made me think about my own views on non-violence vs. self-defense.  Do I really trust God to protect me? Should I physically defend myself or others if threatened? There's a bit of romance to the story also as Hope tries to decide who she should marry, but I wish there had been more.  This is the second book in the Road to Kingdom series, and while characters from the first book are featured prominently, it isn't necessary to read them in order.  I enjoyed this story and its insight into this fascinating topic.

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.