Tuesday, March 26, 2013

A Cast of Shadows by Patrick W Carr- Excellent!

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Errol, an apprentice, yet but a boy, is enroute to Martin Pater to deliver an important message. He is met by many dangerous obstacles including a man in black. At the tender age of 14 he is consumed by the desire for strong drink while he harbors bitter memories of his childhood. Errol is about to fight the battle of darkness in the quest of knowledge and strength against those who look for weakness. Will success find an end or will he be stopped from accomplishment?

A tale of medieval fantasy, battles and loyalty from a time not of our own. Rich with descriptive scenery, well developed and interesting characters and engaging easy to follow dialogue. I read this book in sections, due to the lengthiness, and many times I found that when reading I could picture myself within the pages witnessing the action first hand! Plot progressed slowly as high action took place, while welcoming the next book in the series. I was entertained by this faith challenging read and will highly recommend it to others especially those who enjoy a creative fantasy! Excellent first novel solid 4 Stars! I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers for my review.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Home Run by Travis Thrasher- Recommended!!!





For a single moment locked in the present, the past seems to always follow unceasingly.

Cory Brand and his brother Clay suffer a challenging childhood. Cory is plagued by the harsh memories of an abusive father. Baseball has always been a love/hate relationship for him. When his present confronts his past Cory struggles with his life, searching for lost understanding, failing hope, and impossible dreams.

Action, baseball, reality, bitterness and understanding team together perfectly to bring a novel that will excite and satisfy readers. A progressive moving book that comes full circle and expertly blends present life of the well formed, realistic and interesting characters with frequent shifts to the past promising no broken or dull parts. I had a very hard time putting this book down as I was drawn into the storyline from the beginning. I felt as if I were at the scene getting to know the characters personalities and watching baseball at its best! Smooth flowing engaging plot, easy to follow dialogue and realistic colorful scenery make this an unforgettable novel. I was challenged in my faith and entertained and will recommend this book to others. 5 Stars! Thanks to David C Cook Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC for my review.

The Full Armor of God by Larry Richards- Powerful!


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Are you searching for a way to protect yourself and others from Satan's grip? This powerful book contains so many useful points and thought provoking levels of information. Contains prayers and exercises to confront Satan's lies, views of the spirit world in Paul's time and in our time, from the book of Ephesians a thorough explanation of each part of God's armor and so much more.

From the moment I picked up the book and started diving into the material being presented, I found myself not being able to stop reading, studying, praying and reflecting. A true treasure trove of a book that addresses anything and everything pertaining to combating evil using the Armor of God, a set of tools all believers are given using scripture to back that up. A must have book for the permanent library and one that can be helpful to all and especially for those with questions concerning the identification and expelling of demons in our lives. Brings prayer to a whole other level. Invaluable for church leaders and every believer as well. A well written and highly recommended volume that challenged my faith. 5 Stars! I received a complimentary copy from Chosen Books and Bethany House Publishers for my review.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Live Chat with Mesu Andrews (Author or Love in a Broken Vessel)!


Revell is hosting an Author CafĂ©, an hour chat with Mesu, on Wednesday March 20 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT . We’d love for you to join the party on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/revellbooks)! Plus we’re giving away a signed book to one lucky participant! 

Thursday, March 14, 2013

All in Good Time by Maureen Lang- Kept Me Interested




Does the heart judge what the eyes cannot see?

Henry Hawkins had a questionable career in his younger days. His current position as a banker has him thinking much on the outcome of his future, a pale existance of a life in need of revamping.

Dessa Caldwell is in search of a loan to benefit Pierson House, a home for women, is keenly aware of the many obstacles that would deter her from her plans.
When she applies for a loan at Henry's bank their initial meeting is less than memorable.
A shared secret, a desire for success and the constant ache of the heart bring two unlikely people together for one important mission. Will fortune be gained in time or will an obstacle prove to be a consequence?

Hope, Romance and Fate collide together to form an easy flowing novel just right for a reader yearning for a lite romance with a bit of suspense. Characters were well developed, scenery was fitting and realistic for the storyline and plot offered very few dull and dragging parts. Although part of a series All in Good Time can be read as a stand alone book. I was entertained by this faith challenging and inspiring book and would recommend it to others. 4 Stars.
I received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers for my review.

Maureen Lang


Maureen Lang
Maureen Lang is the award-winning author of more than ten novels. She's always had a passion for writing, particularly stories that combine romance and history. After writing for the general market for several years, she wrote her debut inspirational novel, Pieces of Silver, which was a Christy Award finalist in the historical category. She has since written seven novels, including a recent trilogy of romances set against the dramatic backdrop of WWI—Look to the East, Whisper on the Wind, and Springtime of the Spirit. She turns to more peaceful (though no less dramatic) times in Bees in the Butterfly Garden, her upcoming release set among Fifth Avenue's finest during the Gilded Age of New York.
In addition to critical acclaim, Maureen's writing has garnered numerous industry honors. She has won the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest, and a Holt Medallion, and has been a finalist for Romance Writers of America's Rita, the American Christian Fiction Writers' Carol awards, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Visit her online at www.maureenlang.com.


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Love in a Broken Vessel by Mesu Andrews- Hard to Put Down!


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In the shadow of silence betrayals of the heart formulate, harboring long kept secrets.

 Hosea longs to please Yahweh. His fond remembrances shift frequently to the past and to the friendship he had while a child with Gomer, the girl he protected. Many years have brought change for both, and Gomer plans to escape the rule of Tamir and from the life she has been dealt as a victim of circumstances from a young age. God tells Hosea he must take a wife but one involved in harlotry. In a chance encounter both Hosea and Gomer discover that what was once left behind without nary a glance can be found again. Hosea's duties frequently call him to journey and to leave Gomer and all that is familiar behind. Gomer discovers many challenges including surfacing insecurities. Can faith and love be enough to conquer and overcome the obstacles or will all be broken unable to salvage the pieces?

 History, Betrayal, Romance and Suspenseful Action come together to produce an accurately written and fascinating read and one that is sure not to be missed. As an admirer of biblical fiction, I was drawn into the storyline from the beginning and found that throughout, the book soon became impossible to put down. Interesting easy to relate to and well developed characters, historically accurate descriptive scenery, and smooth flowing plot creates a story that promises no dull or broken parts. This is a book I feel that all audiences, women and men alike would enjoy. The overall message is inspiring and I was highly entertained by this well written and faith challenging book. 5 Stars! I received a complimentary copy of Love in a Broken Vessel for this blog tour for my review. “Available March 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Mesu Andrews

Mesu Andrews

Mesu Andrews is the author of Love Amid the Ashes and Love's Sacred Song. She is an active speaker who has devoted herself to passionate and intense study of Scripture. Harnessing her deep understanding and love for God's Word, Andrews brings the biblical world vividly alive for her readers. She lives in Washington.


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Fortress of Mist by Sigmund Brouwer- A Medieval Masterpiece!




Fortress of Mist, Merlin's Immortals Series #2   -     
        By: Sigmund Brouwer


Symbols are but secrets within the confines of darkness.

Thomas through loyalty with the Earl of York longs to fulfill his destiny to conquer the well armed and manned Scottish Army but is plagued by many questions to the riddles placed before him. With time growing short by each rotation of the day, many lives and hopes depend on Thomas. Will he be able to successfully master his obstacles?

Travel back to the time of 1312, to lands of conquerors, kings and wizards through the imaginative journeys of a master storyteller.
High action and unending adventure, very descriptive storyline and scenery along with multiple twists, turns, and surprises await the reader. This journey is not too quick a read and so as to not miss details I advise the reader to take time as I did absorbing the engaging and engrossing plot. This book picks up where the Orphan King left off and though part of a series could possibly be a stand alone novel but will make more sense when read in succession with the previous one. The storyline flowed well and from the beginning of reading I found I could not put it down. The characters were well developed and interesting and I felt as if I were there witnessing history. Extremely well written and creative and I will highly recommend this book to others. 5 Stars!!! I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for my review.
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Monday, March 4, 2013

Moonlight Masquerade by Ruth Axtell- My Review

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Within a time of unrest and disguise, the heart unfolds.

Rees, butler is on assignment to discover the history of this employer Lady Celine, who is thought to be a spy for the French. Celine has many tasks to accomplish, whether it be the giving of dinner parties, the care of an aging relative, or perhaps missions of a different nature, she finds that life indeed is anything but monotonous.
Her daily interactions lead to questions unanswered and Rees is sure that he will soon have the answers he seeks, or will he?
Within the scope of a broader lens can romance be sought after in the most unexpected of times?

Romance, Action, Danger and Suspense grace the pages of this regency novel. Characters were well developed, I loved Rees' character, so real and gentlemanly! Plot was smooth flowing although I did find that it drug very briefly in a few places, dialogue was believable and easy to follow and scenery was captivating. Overall a great read and I enjoyed this compelling and faith challenging novel and will recommend it to others and especially to those who love a regency romance with action ingrained within the storyline. I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishing for this blog tour for my review.

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

Ruth Axtell

Ruth Axtell is the author of thirteen novels, including Wild Rose, one of Booklist's Top Ten in Christian Fiction. Currently a resident of Downeast Maine, Axtell has lived in the Canary Islands, Miami, and the Netherlands.

You're Made for a God-Sized Dream by Holley Gerth- Encouraging, Upbeat and Necessary!

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This is an upbeat and encouraging book written as if the reader is talking to their best girl friend.

Topics include:  If you're scared, dream it do it, creating a life statement, others "God sized dreams, how to build your dream team, who is on your side and who stands against you, lies that keep us from dreaming, how to recognize a dreamers heart are but a few of the many useful interesting and thought-provoking segments that are contained within this must read volume! Also at the end of each chapter is a conclusion that summarizes the chapter, and a go deeper guide. Placed strategically throughout the book are places which you can record your own thoughts for participation.

I am at a time in my life when a book such as You're Made for a God-Sized Dream" is needed and makes so much sense. Once I started reading it was impossible to put down and I found myself hanging on every word. Besides completing the exercises and making plans for the completion of the dream it do it segments, I realized after reading testimonies that there are so many others with God Sized dreams and wanna be dreams. Just needed to know how to take them to the next level as this book can be a link to becoming closer to a more Godly life. Being expectant of the same kind of book I usually read I was pleasantly surprised by the encouraging words the author so thoughfully composed. I feel this is a book all women should devour regardless of their present life situations. Everyone can take something from this book and apply it to their own lives. A truly well written keeper book I will highly recommend to others.
I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishing for this blog tour.

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

Holley Gerth

Holley Gerth is a bestselling writer, certified life coach, and speaker. She loves connecting with the hearts of women through her popular blog and books like You're Already Amazing and You're Made for a God-Sized Dream. She's also cofounder of (in)courage and a partner with DaySpring. Holley lives with her husband, Mark, in the South. Hang out with her at www.holleygerth.com.