A Marriage Carol- Magical!!!!!!

Jacob and his wife Marlee married 20 years on Christmas Eve are on their way in a snowstorm to the lawyers office to end their marriage on Christmas Eve. An accident occurs and Marlee wakes up and Jacob is nowhere to be found. She walks until she finds help. Hope opens the door and comes in the form of a kindly old man whose words match that of his heart. She realizes she has choices to make but there are consequenses attached to them. I was entranced by this magical story! A very creative "warm your heart" type of read that can be finished in a few hours. One that will touch your emotions and cause you to think "What if"? I found it quite impossible to put down and rate it every bit 5 stars. I loved the twist ending. Excellent character development, storyline and scenery make this a must read for the holiday season! I was highly entertained as there were no dull parts. The overall message was inspiring and I highly recommend this book to others! Very Well Written! Many thanks to Moody Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC for my review!

Dancing on Glass by Pamela Ewen- This book drew me in and kept me there!

Amalise working as a waitress in New Orleans is also a law student. She meets Phillip, who is employed at the campus in the art department. Phillip, a dark and disturbing type whose interpretation of life is found within his paintings is immediately entraced by Amalise wanting to know everything about her. Her best friend Jude, a bar pilot at Pilottown has always looked out for Amalise since they were young. After meeting Phillip, Jude becomes concerned about her when she is with Phillip. As the relationship evolves between Amalise and Phillip she becomes a prisoner in his world. He is a very controlling type personality who does as he pleases but restricts her from everything and everyone she loves. The determination that Amalise has for their relationship may cost her everything that she has worked so hard for. I was drawn to this book from the beginning chapter and it held my interest until the end. Quite impossible to put down, very well written. Excellent character development, I was able to connect with them and their story very quickly. Highly entertaining, this was a very suspenseful read and kept me guessing right up to the ending. I would highly recommend this book!!! Thank you to B&H Publishing Group and Netgalley for the ARC for my review.

Glorious Appearing-Left Behind Book 12

Undercover in enemy forces Mac goes to Jerusalem in search of Buck. Mac witnesses the cruelty of Carpathia and his followers first hand as the believers in Petra are being threatened. Rayford clings to life following an ATV accident. Chaim speaks conforting words to his audience despite the warnings of Carpathia. Miracles happen in anticipation of Christ's return.As the last book of the series my anticipation was high. It did drag a bit in the middle but by the last 150 pages or so I could not put the book down. I did enjoy how the authors tied up some loose ends but did seem to leave the door open for more that could follow. The suspense was well crafted and the scene realistic. I was inspired and will seek out more from these authors. As with the books in the series prior to this one, Glorious Appearing did challenge me in my faith and I did enjoy reading the series and having an opportunity to get to know each character. I would recommend this book! Very well done!

Who is the Antichrist by Mark Hitchcock- Insightful!

The author presents his book in a question/answer format linking bible passages and verses relating to each topic. The author lists what needs to be in place for the antichrist and what has occured thus far, he cites views of the antichrist from the early days of the church and compares it to the modern view among some examples. He tackles the tough questions as well as the more common ones, also including other author references as well. Everything you ever wanted to know about in one volume! Expertly researched this book is most beneficial to the person newest in Christ, but also has material that the long time believer in God's word can grasp as well. I was able to devour the material easily because the book has full passages from the bible. But don't expect to finish it in one day. It did challenge me in my faith and I found the overall message inspiring. I would recommend this book to others. Thank you to Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC copy for my review.

Freedom's Stand by J. M. Windle

A novel about the plight of women and children in Afganistan and of the conditions to which they are subjected and religious persecution. From working as carpet weavers, illiteracy to young girls being given to men as wives that are not of the girls choosing. Encompasses the lives of Amy Mallory from New Hope Foundation (a safe haven for women and children), Jamil a healer, Farah a girl who is looking for more in life and other prominant characters. This book does tear at the heart and will make the reader reflect on the hardships these people face everyday. I am happy that I live in a free country and have the freedom of choice.This book does have excellent character development and starts out well but however I did have trouble staying into the novel a little ways through and am not sure it can be a stand alone type being second in a series it definately needs to be read in order. Dialogue and scene works and it challenged me in my faith. I would recommend it but only after reading the first.

Armageddon Left Behind #11

With New Babylon now shrouded in total darkness only believers can see leaving unbelievers with blinded eyes. A member of the tribulation force is taken into custody and the future of the other members seems questionable. Tsion and Buck journey to Jerusalem as the Jewish people prepare for the greatest battle the world has ever faced. Chang and Naomi have become closer. The world is coming to a climactic conclusion as the antichrist steps up his massive destruction.With love found and great loss this is one of the most tense and nonstop yet in the series yet also one of the saddest. More deaths have unfolded leaving the tribulation force with less members to fight Carpathia and his followers. This is my favorite in the series to date and I look forward with mixed feelings to the last book. I have really gotten attached to these characters and although I cannot wait to see what happens in the final book I really do not want it to end. Excellent character development and realistic scene as well as dialogue makes this one one that I will reread in the near future. Just cannot seem to get enough of this series and find that it is so relevant to today's world and current events.

The First Gardener by Denise Hildreth Jones- A Journey of the Heart

Gray London, governor of Tennessee and first lady MacKenzie have a 5 yr old daughter, Maddie, who was born after many years of hoping. Maddie adds life to their home and their hearts. Jeremiah has been tending the gardens of the govenor's house for 25 years, and 3 years of that for the London family. Jeremiah has a way of growing things and it can be said that a piece of heaven can truly be found in his backyard. When tragedy strikes the world stops spinning. For this family through life's turmoil and suffering, God brings understanding through the eyes and heart of an old gardener named Jeremiah. When MacKenzie's mother Eugenia comes to stay at the Governors home she and Jeremiah have to work hard to overcome their differences. A southern novel of love, loss and understanding that will touch of the heart of the reader. At times quite sad, but at others quite funny, especially with Eugenia and her friends. Excellent character development and although at times the dialect was hard to follow, it is truly a keeper novel to be enjoyed again. The author was able to portray the characters expression of grief in different ways. A true journey of the heart novel that I highly recommend.