Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Avenged by Janice Cantore BOOK REVIEW

ABOUT AVENGED
When Officer Carly Edwards finds three young gangbangers shot execution style, she and her husband, Sergeant Nick Anderson, head of the gang unit, fear Las Playas may be on the verge of a gang war. The Las Playas PD is put on high alert as tensions escalate between rival gangs, especially after Carly confiscates weapons from a gang leader and learns they were stolen from a military base along with explosive devices.

But something isn’t adding up, and Carly suspects there might be more going on. As she prepares to testify at a major trial, Carly’s reputation is shredded by a reporter apparently trying to discredit her professionally. Facing pressure on all fronts, Carly must rely on faith and trust God in a deeper way during one of the biggest struggles of her career.

Series: Pacific Coast Justice (Book 3)
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (March 22, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414358490
ISBN-13: 978-1414358499
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A retired Long Beach California police officer of 22 years (16 in uniform and 6 as a non-career officer), Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, patrol, administration, juvenile investigations and training. During the course of her career in uniform Janice found that faith was indispensable to every aspect of the job and published articles on faith at work, one for a quarterly newspaper called "Cop and Christ", and another for the monthly magazine "Today's Christian Woman".

With retirement Janice began to write longer pieces and several novels were born. Janice is excited and honored to now be a part of the Tyndale Publishing House family. Accused, the first installment in her new suspense offering, The Pacific Coast Justice Series, was released February 1, 2012 and kicked off a brand new chapter in her writing career. In addition to suspense and action, her books feature strong female leads. Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep you engrossed and leave you inspired.

MY REVIEW
  Avenged by Janice Cantore is book three in the  Pacific Coast Justice Series. It can be read without reading the first two, but you will be missing a lot. I didn’t read the first two books and feel lost at times.
  Avenged is a book that is full of suspense, danger and police work-the kind of book I love. I just didn’t get into it to much because not reading the first two books.
  I think it would have been an excellent book if it wouldn’t depend on books one and two so much.
  I really enjoyed Avenged by Janice Cantore for all of the drama, suspense and fantastic police work.  Carly and Nick are very sweet likable characters, but I missed what happened to them in the other books in this series and didn’t know their history.
  I really would recommend this book if you read them in order.

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Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Lone Wolf by Loree Lough BOOK REVIEW


ABOUT LONE WOLF
Released from prison for a crime he didn't commit, Kent McCoy finds himself without friends, family, or a single reason to believe in a merciful God. Like a lone wolf, he leaves Dodge City, Kansas, and heads east in search of a place where his past won't darken his future.

His wandering path collides with that of Abby Nelson, who, through a series of tragic events, has come to believe that love and happiness are beyond her reach. Life is a matter of existing from day to day on her last thread of strength–her faith in God's power.

Despite their tendencies to live on the fringes of life, Abby and Kent are strangely drawn to one another. But will suspicion, self–righteousness, and lack of faith cost them this chance at happiness in one another's arms? Or will they surrender to the love born from forgiveness?

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House; Reprint edition (April 2, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1603747230
ISBN-13: 978-1603747233
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
At last count, best-selling author Loree Lough had 98 award-winning books (more than 4,000,000 copies in circulation and 5 that earned book-to-movie options), 68 short stories, and 2,500+ articles in print.

An oft-invited guest of writers' organizations, colleges and universities, corporate and government agencies in the U.S. and abroad, Loree loves sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry.

Once upon a time, Loree (literally) sang for her supper, performing alone and "opening" for the likes of Tom Jones, Dottie West, The Gatlin Brothers, and more. Though she refuses to share the actual year when she traded her Yamaha 6-string for a wedding ring, she IS willing to admit that, every now and then, she blows the dust off her six-string to croon a tune or two. But mostly, she just writes (and writes).

Loree and her husband split their time between a home in the Baltimore suburbs and a cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where she continues to perfect her taleant for identifying critter tracks. Her favorite passtime? Spending long, leisurely hours with her grandchildren...all seven of them!

She loves hearing from her readers, and answers every letter, personally. You can write her @ http://www.loreelough.com.

MY REVIEW
  Lone Wolf by Loree Lough is an excellent book. Kent and Abby are such lovable characters. Abby’s mom was very precious also.
  This book is full of love, peace and acceptance. You will find out in this book how God works in peoples lives. We may think everything is going wrong, but God is in control and working all things out.
   Kent and Abby have had very bad experiences in there past and aren’t looking for love, but God brings them together and with Abby’s moms help they find out love isn’t so bad.
  Loree Lough is a fantastic author and I haven’t read any of her books that I didn’t like. This one Lone Wolf is just fantastic. You will love it. I highly recommend Lone Wolf by Loree Lough.


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Thank you to Whitaker House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Now You See Me, Kathy Sanders BOOK REVIEW

On April 19, 1995, Kathy Sanders' life was changed forever when a bomb exploded and destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City, killing her two grandsons Chase and Colton.

For months, Kathy struggled with coping and wondered if the God she'd worshipped all her life even existed. After battling bitterness and contemplating suicide, she turned to the Lord and asked what He'd have her do. The answer was clear: Forgive your enemies.

Thus Kathy forged a friendship with Terry Nichols, one of the men convicted in the bombing, via phone conversations, letters, and even face-to-face meetings.

She also began searching for answers about what happened that fateful day in April and found opportunities to cultivate relationships with Nichols' children, mother, sister, wife, and ex-wife in separate turns. She demonstrated the same type of warmth to family members of Timothy McVeigh, the second man convicted of orchestrating the bombing. Her courageous efforts of extending compassion and grace gave her peace and removed the bitterness from her life.

With photos, interviews, and actual letters exchanged between Kathy and Terry Nichols, NOW YOU SEE ME tells the story of one woman who walked the road less traveled and forgave the unforgivable.

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: FaithWords (April 8, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1455526193
ISBN-13: 978-1455526192


Kathy Sanders quickly became the face for the media of the Oklahoma City Bombing because she was one of the first to arrive on the scene. As a painter, she uses art to capture life's important moments and touch people's lives. Kathy and her husband Tom reside in Little Rock, Arkansas. Between them they have six children and thirteen grandchildren.


MY REVIEW
  Now you see me by Kathy Sanders is a true account of how she lost her grandsons in the Oklahoma City bombing. She tells of how it happened, where she and her daughter were and what heartbreak they went through.
  I admire people who go through something like this and their faith in God grows stronger and they help others after they go through tragedy. She had many losses in a few years. Kathy's life has been riddled with heartache.
  Also Kathy talks about how she befriends those responsible for the bombing, one wouldn‘t have anything to do with her. One of the bombers and her started talking (letters, phone calls) she started that to get information and then God tells her she needs to forgive him. She also befriended the bombers sister and mother because they are victims also.
  I admire someone who sees past her own pain and loss to look at others and forgive them. I guess none of us really know if we can do that until it happens to us.
  I found this book extremely interesting and would highly recommend it for everyone.

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I received my free copy from Sarah Reck at Faith Words/HachetteBookGroup, for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Sacred Spring by Divoran Lites A REVIEW

ABOUT SACRED SPRING
Elaine Donovan’s forebears have owned the Sacred Spring campground in Central Florida for generations, and Elaine has become an environmentalist because of her love of nature and of the property. Duty weighs heavily on the twenty-three year old Elaine, as she now finds herself responsible not only for the decrepit campground, but for her young brother, and aging Grandfather as well. When she meets developer, Hank Schaefer, she senses he may have answers for her, but discovers that his scheming female partner, Reva North, has other plans for the property. Elaine, then, is compelled then, to find her own inspiration that will preserve and fulfill her hopes and dreams.

Series: Florida Spring Trilogy
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (December 4, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 148115818X
ISBN-13: 978-1481158183
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My name is DiVoran Lites. I am the author of the Florida Springs Trilogy. All three books: Sacred Spring, Living Spring, and Clear Spring are now available at Kindle and on Amazon in print. Each book has its own complete cast of characters and story, but as you read them, you will find the people are a community of family and friends who have known and loved each other for many years. You will watch conflicts,common to man, played out in the characters' lives. You'll read such vivid descriptions of the fabulous Florida Springs that, according to reviewers, you will feel as if you've visited them yourself.

I'm told that even as a toddler I loved books and carried them around. Reading has been a passion ever since. It didn't take long to discover that the best enhancement for reading was writing. I started writing the story of my life in a back booth in my parents'restaurant in a mountain valley in Colorado. Dad said that since I was only seven years old, it would be a short story. I didn't understand the humor at the time. Since then writing has been my calling, and life and love have been my learning labs.

I am married to Bill, an areonautical engineer. We have two children and two granchildren. The way God works with people, and the creations he has given us to enjoy are my favorite subjects.

MY REVIEW
 Sacred Spring by DiVoran Lites is book one in the Florida Spring Trilogy series. I have the other two books that I will read soon. I really did enjoy this first book.
  Elaine, Ira, Scotty and Hank are such likable, loveable characters. The authors really created beautiful people, but also some people that you don’t like. The scenes described are so beautiful that you can imagine yourself there and even feel the warmth of the day.
  Elaine loves wildlife and all of nature. She tries to save and keep things as they were intended to be. Not spoiled by so called progress. Elaine takes care of her ailing grandfather, little brother while trying to keep the failing campground she owns from having to be sold.
  This is such a sweet book that you want to help Elaine out of her troubles, but also you want her to see Hank for what he is.
  A book worth reading. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading the next two books.

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Thank you to the  Author/Publicist  for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Dead 13 Times by Cam Tribolet A REVIEW

ABOUT DEAD 13 TIMES
In 1986, Cam Tribolet was on his way home from a night of drinking when, at a Ft. Wayne, Indiana, stoplight, three men tried to carjack him. During the assault, Cam was shot three times in the stomach. One bullet ripped through his aorta, another lodged near his back, and the third tore through his bowels, spewing infection throughout his body. Cam's family was informed that he probably wouldn't survive the night. But he did.

In the days and weeks that followed, both of Cam's legs would be amputated above the knee. He would endure thirty–six operations and require resuscitation thirteen times. His fiancĂ©e would break up with him in the hospital. He would become addicted to drugs to deal with the pain. And he would face the loss of his career. He would even contemplate suicide. But God was not done with Cam Tribolet.

During his remarkable recovery, Cam befriended and eventually married his physical therapist, Sue, who was instrumental in helping him to find God and begin living again. Since then, his disability has not slowed him down. Cam became an engineer, a father, a downhill skier, and more. Born out of tragedy, Cam's life is fuller and more rewarding than he ever imagined it could be. His story of redemption, perseverance, and hope is for anyone who needs to discover that our God is a God of amazing second chances.

Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House (February 3, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 160374956X
ISBN-13: 978-1603749565
Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 5.9 x 8.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cam Tribolet is many things–a living miracle, an amputee, a husband and father, a public speaker, a TV personality, a hunter, a skier, a volunteer, an architectural engineer, and a man with an amazing story. After his tragedy and amazing recovery, Cam began a support group for amputees and often speaks to new amputees about his experiences, encouraging them to move forward and embrace their new lives. A gifted public speaker, Cam shares his testimony of courage and strength with large groups every year, such as Boy Scout troops, church congregations, youth groups, conventions, and occupational therapy schools. Winner of the 2008 Pathfinder Award from Safari Club International for his volunteer work with the disabled community, Cam continues to let his light shine on everyone he personally encounters. His moving story was featured in I Survived—Beyond and Back on the Biography Channel. Cam, Sue, and their two children still reside in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

MY REVIEW
  So far this year Dead 13 Times by Cam Tribolet is my favorite book. It is a true story and will keep you reading. It is a small book, but I couldn’t put it down until I read the whole thing.
  At the beginning you will read how Cam was destroying his life with his lifestyle, but he was soon woken up by being shot and coded 13 times. During the times he died he saw God and Satan both. While his experiences seeing God were wonderful, seeing Satan put deep fear and regret in him.
  You will read how Cam fought to live and how he overcame each step in his life.
  He had thoughts of suicide, was addicted to drugs, loss his legs, but God had plans for him.
  When you read this wonderful book you will see how God works out all things for Cam and how even small things in our lives matter to God.
 If you don’t read any other books this year it would be well worth your time to read this inspiring, encouraging book. I just loved reading it.

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Thank you to Whitaker House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

If the Shoe Fits BY Sandra D. Bricker A REVIEW

If the Shoe Fits
A Contemporary Fairy Tale
Sandra D. Bricker

Julianne used to believe in fairy tales; she's been watching for Prince Charming to come charging in on his white steed ever since the day her mother read her Cinderella for the first time. But she's never come close to finding the perfect man-instead she's always tripping over her childhood best friend, Will. And who finds their Prince Charming on a 10-speed bicycle on the other side of the cul de sac? Well... Julianne does. Only she doesn't have a clue.
She and Will are attorneys now, and they've joined up in private practice in a beautiful Cincinnati office building that overlooks the Ohio River. And then one day Julianne is on her way to court, and runs right smack dab into Prince Charming. But when she looks again, all she finds is a metaphoric sign she is certain came straight from Heaven: The Prince's toolbox has fallen off the back of his truck, and a work boot along with it. What better way for God to grab the attention of a Cinderella-in-training than to show her a glass slipper...errrr, work boot?...waiting to be reunited with its owner?
So she sets out to track down the mysterious Prince Charming. He's the most gorgeous guy she's ever seen...and a caring animal rescuer, too. Surely he must be the soul mate God has prepared her for.
But, Julianne's prince is starting to look less and less charming all the time. No matter how she tries to romanticize him, he just keeps tumbling down off that dumb pedestal. And with the Bar Association dinner coming up that will honor her for her outstanding charity work over the year, Julianne wants so much for her friends and colleagues to see her with someone besides her best friend Will. To make matters worse, Prince Charming has no designs on wearing a penguin suit and attending a stuffy old dinner. With her pride pressing in on her like sticks from a cactus, Julianne sinks to the bottom of the proverbial barrel and actually offers to pay Paul to be her date.
Julianne is on a collision course with God's perfect plan for her life...if only she could open her eyes and see it before it's too late.

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: River North; New Edition edition (May 15, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802406289
ISBN-13: 978-0802406286
Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 5.5 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
"I'm going to be a writer when I grow up!" Sandra D. Bricker declared these words to her father on a Sunday afternoon in Slidell, Louisiana. She was 5 years old, and was referring to being able to string her cursive letters together to write her full name for the first time, but the declaration proved somewhat prophetic.

By the time she reached high school and her first article was published in The Cincinnati Enquirer, Sandie knew writing was what she wanted to do. For more than a decade, Sandie lived in Los Angeles and, while writing in every spare moment, she studied screenwriting and worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved cross-country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

"I guess most people would see my career as a publicist as a sort of dream job. But giving it up turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me!" she declares. "Not only was I given the gift of getting to know my mother as an adult woman before she passed away, but I was also afforded the blessing of being able to re-focus on writing novels in an effort to pursue my dream of a writing career."

That career weaves a web that draws in every age of reader. Sandie's interest in telling a story knows no boundaries. Three novels for middle readers carved out the beginning of the journey; then Avalon Books followed up with two hardbound romance novels in 2001: unWANTED: Husband (romantic comedy) and Change of Heart (romantic suspense). The response was tremendous, and Sandie was asked to pen a sequel to Change of Heart ... and so Sins of the Past was released in December 2003. Next up was another romantic comedy; Wish I Weren't Here was released in February 2005.

"I'm a Christian woman, first and foremost," she says. "So the last couple of years has been a bit of a dream-come-true. Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch their new Love Finds You line in October 2008 with Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas, a romantic comedy for the inspirational market. So the best of all worlds, as far as I'm concerned!"

More hilarity continued to follow from this award-winning author.

Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida (Fall 2009) and Love Finds You in Carmel, California (Fall 2010) for Summerside Press, and The Big 5-OH! (Spring 2010) and Always the Baker, Never the Bride (Fall 2010) for Abingdon Press.

Future books will include sequels, The Big 4-OH! and The Big 3-OH! for Abingdon Press.

After spending nearly 15 years dealing with her celebrity clients' fans, Sandie finds it amusing that she is suddenly the one getting fan mail! "When people were actually buying my books at a recent signing, I found myself wanting to go around and invite them all to dinner or offer to bake them cookies. Hey! In fact ... maybe I'll do that very soon."

MY REVIEW
  If the Shoe Fit’s a Contemporary Fairy Tale by Sandra D. Bricker is a fun, frolicking modern day story. Julianne and Will are attorneys and best friends. She is always looking for her Prince Charming, but can’t see Will as him since she has known him forever. Will has loved Julianne since forever, but doesn’t tell her.
  So with this story line they have many adventures and quite a bit of heart ache. Also lots of humor thrown in. I really love this story. When she sees a man on the highway save a dog from death she “falls in love.” Then when he drops his toolbox and work boot she has to find him. Enjoyed the book and characters. So will you. If you are looking for a light-heart
ed, tender love story you will love this one. Highly recommend.

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Thank you to Moody Publishers for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore A REVIEW

Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing, but how in the world do we do that? In fact, how should we effectively pray to begin with?

Best-selling author Beth Moore addresses these practical and pervasive matters in Whispers of Hope by walking readers through an easy to remember and apply method of prayer, coupled with seventy daily devotionals and followed by prompts to put this prayer method into practice.

Indeed, Whispers of Hope teaches the manifestation process of powerful Word-saturated prayer in response to a daily Bible reading. In turn, you will better understand how devotional reading and prayer are central to a stronger relationship with God.

Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: B&H Books (October 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1433681099
ISBN-13: 978-1433681097
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces


Beth Moore has written many best-selling books and is a dynamic teacher and a prolific Bible-study author whose public speaking engagements take her across the United States to challenge tens of thousands. Beth is focused on teaching women all over the world and is known and respected wherever she goes. She is a dedicated wife and mother of two adult daughters and lives in Houston, Texas, where she leads Living Proof Ministries and teaches an adult Sunday school class at her church.


MY REVIEW
   Beth Moore is one of my favorite Bible teachers. She always makes wonderful points and you can just feel how close she is to the Lord. In this book Whispers of Hope: 10 Weeks of Devotional Prayer you will really be helped in your prayer life.
  Beth uses the acronym P.R.A.I.S.E. to show you an valuable technique of prayer:

P- PRAISE is just that-begin your prayer with praise.
R- REPENTANCE. Ask the Lord for forgiveness.
A- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Surrender to the Lord and recognize his authority in your life.
I- INTERCESSION. Pray for others.
S- SUPPLICATION for SELF. Pray for yourself.
E- EQUIPPING. Ask the Lord to give you the tools you need to get through the day.
  I highly recommend this wonderful devotional. It will give you insights you haven’t had before. Besides the devotionals the book itself is beautiful. It will be a pleasure to keep and reread many times.

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Thank you to the  Author/Publicist  for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255