Sunday, October 30, 2011

Reclaiming Lily by Patti Lacy- This one will tear at your heart

Gloria and Andrew, residents from Texas, anxious to become first time parents travel to China to adopt a little girl whom they named Joy. As they meet and take their daughter to their awaiting vehicle they are being watched from a distance by a girl on her bicycle named Kai. Years later Kai is insistant on locating Joy whom is her sister Lily to inform her of their families genetic disease history. What Kai finds when she is introduced to their adoptive parents is a cold and unwelcoming mother. Gloria is frightened that Kai will take Joy away from them. Kai confronted the hostility and brought them into her world, one of a tortuous past in China. Joy now a teenager is having trouble fitting in with her peers. Can Gloria listen and follow her heart to trust Kai? Can Kai fulfill a dying mother's wish?
This novel has excellent dialogue and scenery and is a tear at your heart kind of book. I did not have trouble getting into the storyline but felt that more character development was needed. Going from the history to the present was excellent. The overall message was inspiring and I was challenged in my faith. This is an entertaining novel I will recommend! Thank You to Bethany House Publishers for providing this complimentary copy for me for my review.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin- Wonderfully written this book has it all!

Alice Grace is a librarian and a lover of books. Her boyfriend Gordon thinks she lives in a fiction world that she has read about, and he abruptly ends their relationship. During the Great Depression, people were in hard times and job loss was common. Alice shared their plight. She decides to embark on a journey to Acorn Kentucky to deliver books and magazines she has helped to collect at her library job. She catches a ride with her Aunt Lydia and Uncle Cecil. Alice was determined to be the heroine to the people who needed her. But after she arrived she discovered that she did not need a book after all for adventure, drama, suspense and romance because in the backwoods town of Acorn lied all of what her dreams and heart held and what a heroine needed.
I absolutely loved every minute spent in getting to know these highly personable characters. I connected with everyone in a different way. Characters like Lillie, who has seen much in her long life, Leslie(Mack) who was down to earth and Ike who was just plain fun and so many other wonderful characters added to make this novel, in my opinion, one of the authors best yet! This book held me captive and was from the beginning and was impossible to put down! I felt as if I were there with the characters living their adventures, suspense and romance with them! Excellent character development, dialogue, and scenery make this a highly recommend must read novel. The overall message was inspiring and I was challenged in my faith. Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing this compimentary copy for me for my review

Monday, October 24, 2011

Excellent resource for fasting and prayer!

An indispensable must have guide that covers everything pertaining to fasting. Laced throughout are bible passages that correspond to the subject being discussed. A lot of information is well presented and I took my time in reading and reflecting. I have fasted for a few years now and what I know in reading this book is that this book will greatly enhance my fasting experience! Some key points I found personally beneficial were: how to prepare for a successful fast, non food fasts, how to better incorporate prayer during a fast and how to forgive but there are so many more pertinent topics presented here as well! Every reader can take the authors experiences and advice and apply them to their own personal journey. This book will be excellent to read again before during and after my own fasts especially longer ones. Very well written and researched! I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers for this review.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Pirate of My Heart by Jamie Carie- A True Gem!

Kendra Townsend is the only child of Edward and his late wife Eileen In a era where future spouses are chosen by parents or caregivers she is content in the reality of that she will have a choice. Her uncle Andrew pays a most unexpected visit to her father Edward with an urgent matter that must be addressed.Dorian Colburn, American captain of the sea falcon Angelina on shore in England is looking to command his own fleet in the future and is quite eager to get back to the sea. With his first mate John by his side and an able bodied crew sea missions go very smooth for him. His love and heart lie at sea and he does not want anyone to be held accountable to. Will the longings of another melt his reserve?When Edward Townsend dies, Kendra's uncle Andrew gives her two choices: Either marriage to an undesirable man of his choosing or travel and live with her uncle and aunt in America. As she prepares on the journey of her life to America her heart is filled with sorrow. She is to travel on the Angelina in the care of John first mate. What she finds when she arrives on the American shore is not what she has expected. She is looking for love but will love be hers to claim?
Finally, an original novel that expertly blends swashbucking and sea adventure with the grounding and excitement of the shore! I was drawn into this book from the beginning and admit I could not put it down! This book offers it all: Romance, Deception, Humor, Valor and everything in between. Lots of adventure and action will hold you captive to your seat right up until the very end! Excellent character development, dialogue and scenery come together in this highly entertaining and inspiring read. You will want to make sure and grab this novel and become a part of history! I highly recommend this book! Thanks to B&H Publishing Group and Netgalley for the ARC copy for my review.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry- Looking for a great read? This book has it all!

Truman Wiley, journalist, has been out of touch with his estranged wife Ellen, their two children and the Lord. He has been out of work for quite some time. His son Aiden is in desperate need of a heart and Truman's pain of seeing his son lying in the hospital pushes fear to the forefront of his mind. Truman is asked to write the story of Terrelle Conley, a death row inmate convicted of murder, who unselfishly wants to be an organ donor for Aiden. When Abigail their daughter asks to assist her father in writing the story the task at hand seems to hold new promise for both of them. But sometimes finding the right answers to the questions involves both risk and danger. Time is ticking for both Aiden and Terrelle will their efforts be too late?
Writing at it's best! This story expertly combines suspense, intrigue, humor and matters of the heart all rolled up into one extremely impossible hard to put down novel. Lots of twists and turns throughout and an unexpected ending will wow the reader! All story elements fit together throughtout: plot, dialogue, description and scenery worked, as there are no hanging parts. Excellent character development. I feel this is one of the authors best! Excellent!!! The novel inspired me and I highly recommend this book! Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC copy for my review.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Paper Angels by Jimmy Wayne and Travis Thrasher- Will leave you blessed by the joys of giving!!

Thomas Brandt, his sister Sara, and their mother Lynn, stuggling to keep their heads above water financially, find themselves before Christmas in desperate need of help. Lynn tries making the best of a difficult situation but no matter what she does it just is not enough. Kevin Morrell and his wife Jenny both decide together to each choose an angel off of the Salvation Army angel tree while in the mall one day, not realizing how they will impact the lives of Lynn and her family. This is a story that will bless you by the joys of giving and show the reader how to make a difference. It is also a story about how the kind and unselfish acts of an impoverished 15yr old boy can change the world around him. Excellent character development, storyline and dialogue will capture you and keep you reading! I was challenged in my faith and will highly recommend this book to others, very well written! Thank you to Howard Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy for my review.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall- This Story Will Capture Your Heart!

Mattie, a member of the old amish order, is owner of Mattie's Cakes. She works her magic with delectable cakes and confectionaries. Her shop in Ohio is sought out amongst the amish people as well as the englishers. Sol occupies her time when she is not creating but remembrances of Gideon and the past occupy her thoughts. When a tragedy occurs and she goes back home to Pennsylvania to visit her family, fate brings her and Gideon together once more. Three years ago he had broken up with her and left her with so many unanswered questions. Can her heart understand and accept what had happened then between them or will it cause her more pain and separate them even further? Spend some time getting to know these personable characters. A quick read that will capture your heart from the beginning! Well crafted storyline and scenery make this a book you will want to read this holiday season. I was entertained and found the overall message inspiring. I would highly recommend this novel to others.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy- Excellent suspense/thriller!!!

Audrey Bofinger shares herself unselfishly with others, offering kind words of support and encouragement and always with a loaf of fresh baked bread. As a baker's wife to Geoff her life centers around the baking of bread and their bakery business but it is more than a hobby to both of them. Their son Ed, a college student, helps his parents with their business. Diane Hall arrived in her hometown after a many years absence when the Bofinger's bakery beckons to her early one morning. Diane learns that kindness comes in different forms when her life intertwines with Audrey and Geoff. Diane's memories are held captive in the house above the bakery and she must do what she can to escape them. What happened on a foggy morning as Audrey and Ed were driving to the bakery would change the course of their lives for a long time to come.
A suspense filled and thrilling story with a sprinkling of love and loss that will capture your attention and heart from the beginning. Excellent character development and plot that had me guessing until the end! I found the overall message inspiring and was entertained. I would highly recommend this novel to others! Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers and Netgalley for my copy for my review.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

A Texan's Promise by Shelley Gray- A Must Read Romantic Adventure!

Vanessa carries feelings for Clayton Proffitt deep within her heart. The patience of Clayton knows no limits as he honors the vow he made with Vanessa's father long ago. Price Venture, stepfather to Vanessa and her brother Miles, whose violence extends far beyond his words, his anger and hatred causing more harm and scars for Vanessa. When Clayton finds Vanessa crying in the barn one night a plan is devised to get her as far away from Circle Z and Price as they can so he can no longer hurt her. Her life is in danger and he will do anything to keep her safe. During their travels they find themselves amongst friends sharing fond memories bringing with them new ideas and plans. Can the feelings Clayton and Vanessa share for one another deepen or will their differences tear them apart?
I enjoyed every minute of this highly entertaining romantic novel and getting to know each of the characters in depth. Once I started reading I was completely hooked and could not stop until finished! Excellent plot, storyline, dialogue and character development makes this first of Heart of a Hero series one must read adventure! I am looking forward to reading more in the series coming up. This book challenged my faith and I Highly recommend this novel! Thank you to Abingdon Press and Netgalley for this copy for my review!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

A Now Favorite! Wings of A Dream by Anne Mateer

Follow the journey of Rebecca Grace who has just turned 19, her heart is captivated by Arthur, an aspiring aviator. By request of her mother she is sent to tend an ailing Aunt in Texas, close by to where Arthur is stationed. But what Rebecca found when she arrived challenged her in ways she never imagined. Taking her Aunt's place she is entrusted to care for 4 children. The Spanish flu has taken ahold of Texas, bringing with it heartbreak. Rebecca longed for adventure away from home and somewhere to rest her heart, but the very excitement she has yearned for all along just might be right before her eyes.
The author crafts a captivating story rich with history and the bonds of family. Romance along with adventure and just fun reading will grab you and keep you reading long into the night. With excellent character development, dialogue and scenery makes this one hard to put down book that I highly recommend! I will definately be on the lookout for more works by this author and look forward to rereading Wings of a Dream at a later time to reconnect with the characters! I was challenged in my faith and entertained, well written! I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers for my review.