Fate of the Watchman - by Chad Pettit

About the book:

Lester Sharp is a workaholic, obsessed with the success of his business and oblivious to the world around him.

All of that changes when a peculiar stranger comes into his shop asking for food and help. Lester soon finds himself on an impossible journey around the world to bear witness to some of the greatest tragedies a person can know, all frozen in a single moment of time.

In this challenging and gripping novel, debut author Chad Pettit, delivers a supernatural, pulse-pounding adventure in which Lester Sharp is in for the longest second of his life and learns lessons to last a lifetime.

My review:

This was definitely an interesting story.  It got a little graphic and gory as Lester sees some horrible things and his eyes are opened to what other people go through.  It did really make me think more about what other people are going through, from people being victims of violence or sex trafficking to Christians being persecuted and tortured for their faith around the world.  I feel like I do think about those things fairly often and feel frustrated like Lester, wondering what can I do to make a difference?  One thing I need to remember is prayer can make a difference but also that I need to keep my eyes open where I am and even go to where the people are who need help.  The story ended on a cliffhanger, which frustrated me.  I wanted more closure and answers!  I would say if you like unique stories and don't mind some graphic realism, you might want to check it out!

I received this story from JustRead Tours.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Intriguing! 'Lethal Target - Line of Duty 2 - by Janice Cantore

This was an enjoyable suspense with a dash of romance!  The story follows Police Chief Tess O'Rourke as she deals with the suspicious death of a teenager in her small town.  Pot farms have sprung up near town and there's an upcoming vote to decide whether it will be legal to sell it in town, also.  She's worried more serious drugs might be soon to follow.  She suspects someone involved in a pot farm might have had a hand in the teenager's death.  The father, especially, is not taking it well and is blaming Tess for not solving the case fast enough.  Meanwhile, a man from her past shows up in town, spreading lies and making the townspeople doubt her abilities as chief. 

Her good friend, Pastor Oliver Macpherson, gives her a lot of support and a listening ear just when her relationship with Sergeant Steve Logan seems to hit the rocks.  While she values the pastor's opinions, she just can't trust in a God who would take her father from her as a teenager.  She also can't understand how he can still have faith after his wife was murdered.

I really enjoyed this story as Tess investigates the death and follows the clues.  It was like a police procedural but with small town politics and pot farms thrown in!  I was really frustrated with this guy who showed up to make her life a nightmare.  I just have a hard time understanding people who want to make life difficult for others.  There were some good spiritual elements, as the pastor talks with different people about suffering and he thinks about what he went through with the loss of his wife.  He knew he would see her one day in Heaven and that God was in control and had a purpose for the pain and he wanted to help Tess see that.  There was a hint or romance and some good suspense and action as she tracks down a killer.  We got different viewpoints, which always makes a book more interesting.  I haven't read book one yet but it was easy to read as a stand-alone, though I did feel that there were characters I probably would have met in book one and maybe had more backstory on.  I would recommend this one if you like suspense!

I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Free for Kindle!

Free for Kindle!

Amazon

Free for Kindle!

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Every Woman Needs This Book! 'Silencing Insecurity: Believing God's Truth About You' - by Donna Gibbs

About the book:

Say goodbye to insecurity. It's time to change how we think about ourselves.
We have more ways than ever to compare ourselves to others--who are all prettier, thinner, smarter, more successful, and more put together than we are--and our sense of self-worth takes a serious beating on an almost daily basis. It's not what God wants for us, and it's not what we want for ourselves. So why is it so hard to stop?

Drawing from her twenty years of experience counseling women, professional Christian counselor Donna Gibbs says enough is enough. In this practical book, she exposes the vulnerabilities and lies that produce insecurities in us starting from a young age, explores the result of letting those insecurities get the best of us, and, most importantly, shows us the way out of insecurity--for good.

My review:

This is an amazing book I think every teen girl and woman should read!  In the first section Donna talks about identity thieves such as appearance and comparisons or approval and rejection.  She explains how we might have bought into the lie that our identity is based on how we look or on whether we have people's approval, etc.  There are many different things we can base our identity on rather than on where it should be, which is who God says we are.  He says we are His masterpiece, his child and He loves us and will never leave us.  The next section talks about problems insecurities can cause, from mental patterns we might fall into to emotional issues to relational or developmental ones.  Are you thinking negative or positive thoughts towards yourself?  The third section talks about how to fight the thieves and that's by trusting what God says about us and not listening to the lies.  She shows what characteristics a healthy sense of self-worth will have and illustrates her points with Esther, a great example from the Bible.  Each chapter has a victory verse and questions, making this ideal for a group study or on your own.  Some things she pointed out I had heard before and I try to examine what I'm telling myself but there was just so much vital information in here that I needed to read and so many others do, too..  I highly recommend this life-changing book!

I received this book from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

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   Photo by: Leigh Beddingfield

   Donna Gibbs

   Donna Gibbs is author of Becoming Resilient and a leading Christian Counselor recognized on the referral networks of Focus on the Family, Christian Care Network, r3Continuum, FINDINGbalance, and Samaritan's Purse. She has been providing women and their...
   

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Wonderful! 'Who I Am With You' - Legacy of Faith 1 - by Robin Lee Hatcher

About the book:

For these two broken hearts, the first step toward love will be a huge leap of faith.

Jessica Mason isn’t looking for love when she meets Ridley Chesterfield. Instead she is still reeling from the tragic, unexpected loss of her husband and daughter—and awaiting the arrival of her unborn child. Harboring the secret of her husband’s betrayal, her pain is deeper than anyone knows.

Ridley Chesterfield is hiding out in Hope Springs, Idaho, avoiding a political scandal and the barrage of false media headlines that have tarnished his good name. The last thing Ridley wants is a relationship—but when fate leads Ridley to form a friendship with his reclusive and pregnant neighbor, he wonders if this small-town hideout might be more of a long-term destination.

When Jessica begins to read her great-grandfather’s Bible, she finds a connection with a man she never knew. Somehow the verses he marked and the words he wrote in the margins open her heart to healing. And as Ridley and Jessica help each other forgive the people who have wronged them, they must decide if the past will define them or if they will choose to love again.

Who I Am With You weaves together a modern-day romance with Jessica’s great-grandfather’s story from the 1930s, reminding us that some truths can cross generations and that faith has the power to transform families forever.

My review:

This was such a wonderful, satisfying story!  I really liked the modern-day characters and admired both of them for how they handled trying circumstances.  The historical plotline following Jessica's great-grandfather was fascinating as we see him navigate the Great Depression, along with some family issues he came up against and how his faith in God saw him through.  He had such a spirit of gratitude and trust in God but it was definitely something he worked at, meditating on Scriptures all of the time and praying.  This book had such a wonderful spiritual message, about forgiveness and choosing to be grateful in all circumstances; it was definitely a reminder to me to count my blessings and not throw a pity party!  There's always something to be grateful for and always someone who has it harder than you.  I can always trust that Robin will give us a great story with a great message!  There were sweet romantic moments and I could just picture the gorgeous mountain setting.  This felt like such a cozy, comforting read.  I just love the dual story lines.  Books that have a modern and a historical plot are some of my favorites!  I highly recommend it!

I received this book from the author.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Free for Kindle!

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Free for Kindle!

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Excellent! 'I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life' - by Anne Bogel

About the book:

Reading isn't just a way to pass the time--it's a lifestyle. Books shape, define, and enchant us. They are part of who we are and we can't imagine life without them. In this collection of charming and relatable reflections, beloved blogger and author Anne Bogel leads you to remember the book that first hooked you, the place where you first fell in love with reading, and all the books and moments afterward that helped make you the reader you are today.

My review:

I absolutely loved this book!  There were so many moments in this book that I nodded and exclaimed, "That's me!"  For instance, I've had certain books that seem to find me just when I need them and I could totally relate to her obsession with 'You've Got Mail,' my favorite movie of all time!  I could relate to being so engrossed in a book that I couldn't stop reading (my most extreme circumstance was staying up until 5 in the morning when I had to work the next day!)  I, however, really wish I had a book twin and I think I'd been searching for one and not even realized it.  To have someone with your exact taste would be amazing!  There are so many books she mentioned that I've wanted to read but haven't yet or some I've never even heard of that are going on my to-be-read list!  As for the ones I'd read, it was fun to see what she thought of them or how they impacted her and to remember how I felt about them, too.  It felt like we were sitting in a cozy library somewhere surrounded by books and discussing our favorite reads.  I'd highly recommend this book for anyone who loves books and it would make a great gift for the book lover in your life!


I received this book from Baker Books.  I was not compensated for this review; all opinions are my own.

           The Author

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   Anne Bogel

   Anne Bogel is the creator of the popular blog Modern Mrs Darcy and the podcast What Should I Read Next? Her popular book lists and reading guides have established Bogel as a tastemaker among readers, authors, and publishers. The author of...
   

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