I had a very hard time getting through this book. It's the story of a couple who have been traveling around and decide to visit the Isle of Estillyen, a retreat where monks perform these readings based on Scripture about the importance of words. While there, they meet a mysterious hermit named Oban Ironbout who gets violent when people come onto his property. Goodwin, the husband, feels drawn to the point, where this man lives. His grandfather told him many times about this place and wanted him to go there. He persists in visiting and Goodwin and his wife form an odd friendship with Oban. The difference they bring to his life ultimately results in a shocking revelation for Goodwin.
This is a very unique book because large parts of it are the readings, where a monk talks about Scripture and words, a voice asks questions, and another monk plays the part of Lucifer. While there are some good points made, it seems odd. The parts of Lucifer, especially, sometimes rhyme and go on for a while, which makes me view him as ridiculous. It felt like the dialogue went on too long in many of the conversations. I also had a hard time caring about the characters. Maybe this just isn't my kind of book. If you're looking for something very different, you might want to check this out.
I received this book free from Handlebar in exchange for an honest review.
This is an interesting fictional account of Claudia, the wife of Pontius Pilate and believed to be the granddaughter of Caesar Augustus. She's mentioned in one of the gospels when she has a dream about Jesus before He was tried by her husband and tried to warn him to not have anything to do with Him. The story starts out with her as a child, banished with her mother and grandmother because of her mother's indiscretions. When she's a teenager she's brought to the new emperor Tiberius as his ward. She lives in the palace and wonders what's to become of her. She's finally married to Pontius Pilate and moves with him to Judea where he must try to keep the peace between the Romans and Jews. When Jesus comes on the scene, tensions mount and she wonders if He is who He says He is and the effect this could have on her family and the people.
This is a very interesting book about what was happening in the four hundred years between the Old and New Testament and continuing on into the life of Jesus and the early church. The author explains about the different nations, such as the Persians and the Babylonians, that conquered Israel and how that came about. He uses Scripture and fits the stories of the Bible into the time period and culture they belong to. We also see what kind of political and spiritual climate the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots came out of. Each chapter has a chronology of events and discussion questions that really make you think.
This is a cute novella about a widow wanting to make a new life for herself. Caroline Milburn lost her husband in the Civil War and is now living with her sister and her family. Though she loves her sister and nieces and nephews, she has a hard time watching her brother-in-law treat his family so harshly. He also makes her feel that she is imposing on them. When she finds out about a wagon train heading west, she starts to wonder if she should go, too.
This is a wonderful hardcover devotional that focuses on God's promises, especially ones that might not be so obvious! It features forty devotions two or three pages each with color photographs. There's a verse given first, then a personal story that leads into the devotion. The author has lost two children, so she when she talks about hard times, she knows. You can feel that she understands and that she's encouraging you to make it through, too.
This is an eye-opening story about what life might have been like for an Irish immigrant to America in the early 1900's. Grace McCaffery is saved from the workhouse in Ireland, where she has lived for almost half her life, when her mother marries a policeman and he sponsors her to go to America. As she settles into her new home and new job as a nanny and housekeeper, she vows to earn enough money so her mother can get away from the cop she had to marry and come to America, too.
Free for kindle! I haven't read this one yet, but I've really enjoyed his books!
Free for kindle! I haven't read this one yet, but she's one of my favorite authors!
Free from multiple vendors until Tuesday at midnight! I really enjoyed this one!
Free pdf sampler of a chapter from 6 new books!
Free for kindle!
This is an interesting, emotional book that tells the story of four sisters and their step-mother over a little more than a decade. We get each of their perspectives as the story switches between them, jumping ahead in time with each one. Anise falls for a man over twenty years her senior in a whirlwind courtship and finds herself a step-mother to four women. Kimberly, the oldest, and Heather, the third, are married with children and have seemingly perfect lives, but not is all as it seems. Jayme-Leigh is a doctor like her father with a great husband, but has a secret pain she hasn't shared with her family. The youngest, Ami, has been burdened with a secret her mother shared on her deathbed. Through the years, their getaways to their summer home in Cedar Key has brought renewal and healing, but also may be the key to a secret that could tear their family apart.
This is a very touching book about a chaplain's real experiences with children who were dying. Each chapter is the story of a child who touched her life and taught her a lesson along the way. Leanne was a chaplain in a children's hospital and many of the kids she spent time with were sick for a long time and were in and out of the hospital. Some of the children saw angels or had dreams of heaven, but all were comforted and died peacefully. She points out that she doesn't know why children die, but that God was with each one loving them.
This is a fast-paced suspense novel about spies, sleeper agents, and a Russian plot for world domination! Cass Rodino becomes suspicious that her step-father is being unfaithful to her mother but when she follows him, she ends up in the middle of an international plot! Along with her good friend Jordan, she tracks down answers and her path crosses with a famous pianist in danger and a former KGB assassin who is trying to protect her. They go on the run to track down the man behind it all and stop a huge terrorist attack before they become victims themselves. Cass also struggles with a painful past and longs to be forgiven, but knows it's impossible. Will the faith of her new friend open her eyes to the possibility of forgiveness and love?
This is a satisfying conclusion in the Amish of Apple Grove trilogy! Jesse Montgomery has mended his ways, turning from alcohol to God and staying with his friends while he got sober. When he finds out his Amish friend Jonas is being forced off his land, he tries to intervene and is shot. Widow Katie Miller is the healer in the district and comes to nurse him back to health. They're attracted to each other, but there are more obstacles to their being together than just the differences in their faith. 
Free for kindle! I'll be reviewing this one in the next day or two!
Free for kindle!
Free from multiple vendors until Friday at midnight
Only $2.99 for kindle through June 25th! This is a wonderful book! Here's my review: 
Free for kindle!
Only $1.99 for kindle!
Only .99 for kindle!
Only .99 for kindle!
Only .99 for kindle until June 23rd! I loved, loved, loved this book!
Free until midnight Tuesday from multiple vendors:
Free pdf until Tuesday at midnight!
This is a mystery I couldn't figure out! When Kate Adams' good friend and mentor dies, she doesn't believe the rumor that she killed herself and she doesn't believe it could be an accident either. She knows she was murdered, but has no idea why. She confronts Tom Parker, the new detective in town, about why the case is closed and vows to catch the killer herself. Tom is trying to lay low after leaving the FBI, especially since his coworkers aren't too happy to have him there. He thinks Kate may be right so he starts to investigate, but can he rule her out as a suspect or is he blinded by the feelings he has for her? With so many suspects and so many motives, is this one case that will remain unsolved?
This is a unique story about an Amish girl who decides to compete in a show like American Idol. Her father is in a lot of pain after an injury and she finds out that just getting into the top eight would mean money for a surgery he needs. Her friend Bekka talks her into it, along with one of her brothers and she heads to Hollywood to be on the show. Will she be talented enough to last as long as she needs to? Will she have to give up her Amish ways for the show and will she be able to go back home when it's all over?
This is a very cute sticker and activity book for kids. It tells the story of Noah's Ark while keeping children's hands occupied with matching stickers to shapes. There's also a matching game, mini board game, spot the difference game, and counting game!