This Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick A Review

ABOUT THIS ROAD WE TRAVELED
When Tabitha Brown's son makes the fateful decision to leave Missouri and strike out for Oregon, she refuses to be left behind. Despite her son's concerns, Tabitha hires her own wagon to join the party. Along with her reluctant daughter and her ever-hopeful granddaughter, the intrepid Tabitha has her misgivings. But family ties are stronger than fear.

The trials they face along the way will severely test Tabitha's faith, courage, and ability to hope. With her family's survival on the line, she must make the ultimate sacrifice, plunging deeper into the wilderness to seek aid. What she couldn't know was how this frightening journey would impact how she understood her own life--and the greater part she had to play in history.


Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell (September 6, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800722337
ISBN-13: 978-0800722333
Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
If you'd like more information about me, please come visit my website at www.jkbooks.com and click on my blog. My dog also has a blog and you can find out what it's like to be Bodacious Bo, too. A monthly newsletter called Story Sparks is my way of sharing books about authors I enjoy as well as commenting on life and love. You'll find out more about me than you probably ever wanted to know!

One item not listed on my lists of books is my selection included in an anthology called "Crazy Woman Creek: Women Rewrite the American West" published by Houghton Mifflin I also have a piece in Storytellers II, a book published a few years ago by Multnomah Press and a few short selections in Daily Guideposts of a few years back. My first novella, "The Courting Quilt" is part of a collection that made the New York Times bestsellers September 2011 in a collection called Log Cabin Christmas. The rest of my writing, as they say, is history. Or it was until my first contemporary came out this fall. Called Barcelona Calling, it's the story of a writer who loses her way as she seeks fulfillment thinking she'll find it with fame. It's a laugh out loud book according to reviewers. I hope you'll enjoy it.


MY REVIEW
This is a story about a family who decided to move west, but didn’t want to take their mother Tabitha Brown. They said she was to old and crippled. Didn’t make sense to me because she was only in her 50’s and still could walk with a cane. Anyway she talks them into letting her go and she writes of her adventures.
  They took a different path than the Donner party, but also had trouble with steep trails, no food to gather or hunt and many other difficulties.
  The story was really interesting as it told of the older woman and her daughter and granddaughter. Also of several others in this remarkable story.
  I recommend this if you like adventure and perseverance.

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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

Choose and Choose Again by J. Kevin Butcher A Review

ABOUT CHOOSE AND CHOOSE AGAIN
In Choose and Choose Again, the reader will encounter story after story of different people, most of whom are from Hope Community Church of Detroit, where Pastor Butcher has been sharing the healing love of God for thirteen years. They represent men and women, African American, Caucasian, Latino, and Asian, urban and suburban, professional types and prostitutes, clergy and addicts, drunks and lawyers and convicts—wounded human beings who have found themselves empty, dying, and longing to be filled.

The stories are not only about their own healing and restoration but also about how the love of God heals. Butcher hopes that readers will find before them a path of healing that they feel compelled to embrace. He begins with his own story of emptiness and despair, and his journey to healing, but the ultimate power of his message is that this healing journey is for anyone who is willing to own his or her emptiness and hold one’s heart out to God, who is desperately longing to love each person all the way home.

File Size: 1871 KB
Print Length: 269 pages
Publisher: NavPress (October 1, 2016)
Publication Date: October 1, 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B01CYRNO72

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J. Kevin Butcher is the lead pastor of Hope Community Church of Detroit, a messy fellowship of human beings from every racial, economic, and educational background imaginable—with one thing in common: They own their emptiness and pursue healing through the love of God in Jesus Christ. Butcher has written numerous articles and has spoken around the world about the love of Christ. He is married to Carla and has three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandchildren.


MY REVIEW
  Choose and Choose Again by J. Kevin Butcher is a very good book. He tells stories of all different kinds of people in all different kinds of lives. All are lonely and searching, every if they have everything here on earth they still are searching for the mighty love of our Father in heaven.
  You will read and experience how they lives have changed when they realize that God loves them and is always with them. Some of the people grew up with horrible lives, horrible parents and horrible things happened to them, but some grew up with seemly normal, happy lives. They all are lacking the love or understanding of a parent, both mothers and fathers. All children need that and when they don’t have it they don’t know how to react to God the Father the lover of all.
  Very interesting read and I recommend it.

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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

A Review-Living With No Excuses by Noah Galloway

ABOUT LIVING WITH NO EXCUSES
Military hero and beloved Dancing with the Stars alum Noah Galloway shares his life story, and how losing his arm and leg in combat forced him to relearn how to live--and live to the fullest.

Inspirational, humorous, and thought provoking, Noah Galloway's LIVING WITH NO EXCUSES sheds light on his upbringing in rural Alabama, his military experience, and the battle he faced to overcome losing two limbs during Operation Iraqi Freedom. From reliving the early days of life to his acceptance of his "new normal" after losing his arm and leg in combat, Noah reveals his ambition to succeed against all odds.

Noah's gripping story is a shining example that with laughter, and the right amount of perspective, you can tackle anything. Whether it be overcoming injury, conquering the Dancing with the Stars ballroom, or taking the next steps forward in life with his young family - Noah demonstrates how to live life to the fullest, with no excuses.


File Size: 23754 KB
Print Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Center Street (August 23, 2016)
Publication Date: August 23, 2016
Sold by: Hachette Book Group
Language: English
ASIN: B01922I1B6

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sergeant Noah Galloway was assigned to the first of the 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Three months into his second tour of duty, he experienced a life-changing injury. After a long stint in recovery and rehabilitation, Galloway became a motivational speaker and fitness activist. A father of three, He currently resides in Alabaster, Alabama.




MY REVIEW
  Living With No Excuses by Noah Galloway is a very intense, realist book. It shows how you can overcome the most horrible tragedies if you don’t give up. How you can live life and be happy.
  I love to read Biographies of people that have been through horrible things and how much they have suffered and still made it out of the pit of despair.
  Noah Galloway lost his arm and leg in combat. He almost died, but he fought back. Noah also was a very depressed person at first and all he did was drink. Then Noah was inspired to exercise and get into a fitness business.
  Besides though positive things you will see Noah’s journey through three relationships and how they failed, but he loves his children and cares for them almost daily.
  I did like this book and think you will if you like to see a person strive to do things that most people wouldn’t do. I recommend this book.


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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

The Alliance by Jolina Petersheim A Review

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE

When Leora Ebersole sees the small plane crash in her Old Order Mennonite community, she has no idea it's a foreshadowing of things to come. Soon after the young pilot, Moses Hughes, regains consciousness, they realize his instruments were destroyed by the same power outage that killed the electricity at the community store, where Englischers are stranded with dead cell phones and cars that won't start.

Moses offers a sobering theory, but no one can know how drastically life is about to change. With the only self-sustaining food supply in the region, the Pacifist community is forced to forge an alliance with the handful of stranded Englischers in an effort to protect not only the food but their very lives.

In the weeks that follow, Leora, Moses, and the community will be tested as never before, requiring them to make decisions they never thought possible. Whom will they help and whom will they turn away? When the community receives news of a new threat, everyone must decide how far they're willing to go to protect their beliefs and way of life.

File Size: 15811 KB
Print Length: 384 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 1, 2016)
Publication Date: June 1, 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B0198V4LL0

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jolina Petersheim is the bestselling author of The Midwife and The Outcast, which Library Journal called "outstanding . . . fresh and inspirational" in a starred review and named one of the best books of 2013. Her writing has been featured in venues as varied as radio programs, nonfiction books, and numerous online and print publications such as Reader's Digest, Writer's Digest, and Today's Christian Woman. Jolina and her husband share the same unique Amish and Mennonite heritage that originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but now live on a solar-powered farm in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin with their young daughters. Follow Jolina and her blog at jolinapetersheim.com.


MY REVIEW
  I usually don’t like to read Mennonite or Amish books, because it’s usually the same old thing, but The Alliance seemed different to me. Also I’ve read several books this year about a huge power outage that takes the whole world {must be the year for that} and how it affects everyone and how food would run out along with not having any cars/trucks that would work because of how cars are made now.
   The Alliance tells how the Mennonite don’t believe in wars and fighting back and how some Englischers got stuck in their community and how they worked together to protect each other.
  Leora and Moses are so different, but so alike in many ways.
One thing I didn’t see as natural is the romance in the middle of a crisis. A lot of people would disagree with me, but I don’t see it happening.
  This is the first book I’ve read by Jolina Petersheim and it won’t be the last. She writes a good story, but some of it was hard for me to believe. So much of it just seemed like the characters were pretending.
  I will however recommend it and most people will enjoy it.


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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

Kill Devil by Mike Dellosso A Review

ABOUT KILL DEVIL
Jed Patrick is convinced he’s doing all it takes to keep his family safe—new names, new location, new identity. But just when he thinks he finally has his life back, trained men claiming to be CIA agents break in and threaten his wife and daughter, proving once and for all his family will never truly be safe until he eliminates the agency dead set on hunting him down.

Not knowing if Karen and Lilly are better off by his side or in hiding, Jed is determined to protect them while finding a way to use the classified information that he possesses to dismantle the Centralia Project. But he soon learns that eliminating Centralia may require compromising his own values. As danger escalates, Jed isn’t sure whether there’s anyone or anything he can trust—including his own senses

File Size: 5039 KB
Print Length: 416 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 1, 2016)
Publication Date: June 1, 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B0198UC0DM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike is the author of nine novels of suspense and several short stories. He also writes family dramas under the pseudonym, Michael King. In addition to his novels he's written for periodicals, websites, and is a regular conference teacher and speaker. Born in Baltimore, Mike now resides in Pennsylvania. He is also a colon cancer survivor and speaks often about dealing with suffering. Find out more about Mike on his website, www.MikeDellossoBooks.com.

MY REVIEW
    This is book two in the Jeb Patrick series. I remember book one was amazing. I wasn’t as thrilled with this book because to me it just seemed like more of the same.
  They are running and hiding, but get caught, go through horrible tests, try to escape, get shot at and finally at the end they are all together as a family. I like this kind of book if it happens in one book, but not if it keeps happening with the outcome the same.
  It’s a good suspenseful book, but to much of the same kind of suspense.
    If you didn’t read book one it is O.K. to read this book. It is good as a stand alone, but you get more out of it if you read book one.

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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

The Heart Answers by Colleen Coble~A Review~

ABOUT THE HEART ANSWERS
 Jessica knows all about men—and how they should never be trusted.

Jessica DuBois is not used to getting her hands dirty or her heart broken. When her mother remarries and takes Jessica with her to rugged Fort Bridger, Wyoming, Jessica longs for her Boston parties and the control she used to have over her life.

Then she meets Reverend Clay Cole, a man who seems only to have eyes for God and his adoring three-year-old cousin. Clay is not just immune to Jessica's charms, he challenges her selfish attitude.

When tragedy brings this unlikely pair together, they must decide: Is love truly powerful enough to heal the soul?

Rich in historical detail, The Heart Answers takes us to 1867 Wyoming, where a misplaced socialite and an independent preacher ask the deepest questions of the heart.


Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Reprint edition (June 14, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0529103443
ISBN-13: 978-0529103444
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at http://colleencoble.com.

MY REVIEW
  The Heart Answers by Colleen Coble is a good story of love and redemption. I’ve read many of Colleen’s books and this one isn’t my favorite.
  This is a series and I didn’t read the first two books, but didn’t have any trouble following along.
  The Reverend Clay Cole wasn’t a very good example of how to be a Christian. He didn’t believe that Jessica could become a better person and he gave up on her near the ending.
  I’ve heard others say that the first two books in this series Jessica was so evil that they had a hard time believing she would change.
  It was a good story, but didn’t care for how Jessica and Clay treated each other and how they fought so much. The only thing that kept them talking and seeing each other was Clay’s little three year old cousin.
  It was a sweet, sad, redemptive kind of story and I recommend it.


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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

If I Run by Terri Blackstock A Review

ABOUT IF I RUN
Casey knows the truth. But it won’t set her free.


Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they’ve failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.


But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up.


Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?


Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices: the girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

File Size: 2088 KB
Print Length: 319 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
Publisher: Zondervan (February 16, 2016)
Publication Date: February 16, 2016
Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
Language: English
ASIN: B010RB5ZRY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, Sun Coast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Visit her website at www.terriblackstock.com.



MY REVIEW
  If I Run by Terri Blackstock is such an brilliant novel. Those of us who love to read will read from seasoned authors to newbie’s, but if you want to read a novel written by someone who is beyond all others read Terri Blackstocks books. She is far ahead of all of the others.
  In If I Run the characters are so well developed and the way she describes things just makes it feel like you are right  there.
  Casey finds her very good friend dead and that’s not the first time she has come upon someone who was murdered. Since she was young when she saw her dad hanging no one will believe her that he was murdered and didn’t commit suicide.
  So Casey flees, because she knows she will be blamed for this murder, because someone is trying to frame her.
  You will really be amazed at how she eludes the police and the things she has to go through. She so much wants to tell someone who will listen to her what really happened, but no one believes.
  None of Casey’s friends or family think she committed the murder, because she is such a sweet, loving, caring person.
  Dylan has been hired to find her. He was a friend of the murdered victim and just came out of the war. He knows how to find people. He investigates her friends, family and he starts to have doubts.
  It’s amazing at how this novel ends and I loved it and can’t wait for book two. I very highly recommend If I Run by Terri Blackstock. An author worth reading.

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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

Anchored by Kayla Aimee~A Review~ Love This Book!

ABOUT ANCHORED
You count a pregnancy by weeks and Kayla Aimee had only ticked off 24 of the 40 when she unexpectedly went into labor. She thought her church upbringing had prepared her for every circumstance but when tragedy struck and threatened to take the life of her newborn daughter, it felt as though once solid ground had turned to glass beneath her feet, destined to shatter everything she held sacred.

When swept into a story of suffering, we all find ourselves vulnerable, questioning everything we thought we knew as we wonder, “Where is God in this?” With everything feeling as fragile as her one and a half pound daughter, Kayla finds herself asking that same question as she faces her greatest fear: that she may have finally become a mother just to lose her only child.

Both poignant and humorous, Anchored recounts Kayla’s gripping story of learning to navigate her newfound motherhood in the most unexpected of ways, from holidays in the hospital and middle-of-the-night phone calls to the joy of coming home. With vulnerability and plenty of wit, Kayla lays bare her struggle to redefine her faith, her marriage, and herself within the context of a tragedy she never saw coming. For anyone who has felt their faith in God falter, Anchored extends a gentle invitation to join her as she uncovers a hope that holds

File Size: 3109 KB
Print Length: 208 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1433686104
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group (June 3, 2015)
Publication Date: June 3, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00YVNLI76

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kayla Aimee is a writer, mother and spirited southern girl who spends her days uncovering hope and humor in unexpected places. As the mother of a 25 week micro-preemie, she is passionate about sharing stories of embracing hope in motherhood and offering support to parents of preemies.

Her poignant but humorous storytelling style has firmly established her as an influential faith and family blogger and her work has been featured on The TODAY Show and The Huffington Post as well as several other national media outlets.

Kayla Aimee makes her home and garden in the honeysuckle drenched hills of northern Georgia with her husband and their daughter, Scarlette.

You can connect with her at her personal blog kaylaaimee.com, on Facebook at /kaylaaimee, and on Twitter @kaylaaimee.

MY REVIEW
  Anchored by Kayla Aimee is such a beautiful, inspiring true story. I know it has and will bring hope and peace to many mothers/fathers who have babies premature.
  In this beautiful story little Scarlette was only a 25 week preemie when she was born, you will be amazed and shocked at the things a premature baby has to go through.
  One thing that really stuck with me is little Scarlette quit breathing so many times that she had to be connected to a machine that shook her all of the time to keep her breathing. She had broken wrists because of so many medical procedures. Kayla said that her baby only weighed about as much as six sticks of butter and fit in the palm of your hand. Her ears were only holes because she wasn’t fully developed.
  This precious woman didn’t want to leave her daughters side and she didn’t very often.  Several times her insights helped her daughter that a nurse may have missed.
  Besides the regular reasons of having a premature baby, like praying they live and have a normal life,  there are also the financial and personal problems. Many families split up when they go through this.
   I admire Kayla and her husband for all they did and for writing this book. It’s a book ever person should read. Kayla grew so much closer to the Lord and He is always there for her and all.
  I follow her on face book and she is pregnant now with her second child and is 36 weeks along. She has been on bed rest for a while.
   Highly recommend you read this precious book.

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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

Drawing Fire by Janice Cantore A REVIEW

ABOUT DRAWING FIRE
One case from her past defines homicide detective Abby Hart.

With a possible serial killer stalking elderly women in Long Beach, California, Abby’s best lead is Luke Murphy, an irritating private investigator who saw a suspect flee the scene of the latest homicide. When Abby discovers that the most recent victim is related to the governor, she’s anxious to talk to him about a cold case that’s personal to her—one Luke is interested in as well.

As she learns more about the restaurant fire that took her parents’ lives years ago, Abby discovers why Luke is so invested in finding the ones responsible. The more they uncover, though, the more questions they have. Can Abby find peace without having all the answers?

File Size: 4303 KB
Print Length: 417 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 21, 2015)
Publication Date: May 21, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00PCJXWHM

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
  This is a really good suspenseful novel. Luke and Abby are very likable. Besides the suspense there is romance, but not the main theme.
  Since the author is a retired police officer she really knows the ins and outs of suspense and how things operate.
  Abby wants to know why her parents died and why everyone keeps telling her to let the case be. Abby knew the one way she could get closer to the truth is to become a detective and worrk on it, but so many things keep happening and then Luke shows up and he has a very real interest in the same case. At first Abby doesn’t like the hot shot PI, but things change.
You will want to read Drawing Fire to find out what happens with Abby and Luke. How they get along, how they get around road blocks.
 Very good, interesting novel, that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended.

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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

Vendetta by Lisa Harris A Review

ABOUT VENDETTA
No one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel on the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force. The case of her own missing sister, still unsolved after ten years, is the driving force in her work. When a Polaroid photo of a missing girl shows up at a crime scene, Nikki quickly recognizes similarities to the past. The closer she gets to the abductor, the more she feels this case has become personal, and she is not the hunter . . . but the hunted.

With this explosive first book in The Nikki Boyd Files, award-winning author Lisa Harris takes you on a fast-paced pursuit of justice that will have you holding your breath until the heart-stopping finish.

File Size: 4250 KB
Print Length: 306 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0800724178
Publisher: Revell (September 29, 2015)
Publication Date: September 29, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00XNJGQ0S

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 from Romantic Times. She has over thirty novels and novella collections in print. She and her family have spent over ten years living as missionaries in Africa where she homeschools, leads a women's group, and runs a non-profit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry. The ECHO Project works in southern Africa promoting Education, Compassion, Health, and Opportunity and is a way for her to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice." (Proverbs 31:8)

When she's not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com or her blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com. For more information about The ECHO Project, please visit www.theECHOproject.org.

MY REVIEW
  Vendetta by Lisa Harris is the first book in the Nikki Boyd Files series and I have already fallen in love with the characters. I really am looking forward to book two. Nikki is a Special Agent on the Tennessee Missing Person Task Force. After her sister was abducted 10 years ago that is all she wanted to do. Nikki kept looking for her sister all of those years as she helped find other abducted girls. She has such a strong character, very likable and sweet.
  Nikki’s best friend died and Nikki is still good friends with her friends husband. They worked together on this case and helped each other greatly. They are always there for each other.
  The drama and action kept me on the edge of my seat. Very riveting and exciting. Vendetta has many twists and turns and you won’t be expected the ending. It was a complete surprise and that’s what I love in mystery books I read.
  Also Vendetta has a small amount of a possible romance. I think when the romance is the main topic of the book it really takes away from the suspense and action.
  Vendetta is highly recommended and I really enjoyed it.

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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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 

Warrior in Pink by Vivian Mabuni A Review

ABOUT WARRIOR IN PINK

When young mother Vivian Mabuni was diagnosed with breast cancer three days before Christmas, she struggled to know how to respond. How do you tell your children you have cancer? How do you allow yourself to be vulnerable and ask for your family’s support? And how do you continue to trust the God who is powerful enough to prevent cancer but didn’t? Through her battle, cancer patients, family, and friends will find perspective, hope, and an honest look at what it is like to be diagnosed with and treated for cancer—as well as encouragement to know that God is present in our pain. You will also discover ways to emotionally and practically support a friend or family member who is battling cancer.


File Size: 1231 KB
Print Length: 192 pages
Publisher: Discovery House Publishers (March 30, 2014)
Publication Date: March 30, 2014
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00JDW54BG

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My husband and I have been on staff with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) for 25 years. We have ministered on the campuses of Berkeley and UCLA, led mission teams in the Philippines, East Asia and Japan, trained staff and students in evangelism, discipleship, ministry philosophy and cross-cultural ministry. We currently work with Epic Movement, the Asian American ministry of Cru. Darrin serves as the National Director of Field Ministry on the Epic National Executive team. Epic exists to reach the students and faculty on college campuses in the U.S. with the Gospel through Asian Americans. Currently we have 41 Epic movements on campuses across the country.

Our vision has always been to raise up the next generation of leaders to influence the world. Now, with Epic, our focus is to help raise up the next generation of Asian-American leaders, who will be equipped to impact their family, community, church, and the world with the message of God’s love and forgiveness. Darrin and I dream of the day when the voice and leadership of godly Asian Americans infiltrates every facet of society. We dream of our kids and their kids finding a wide array of godly Asian-American leaders and role models. We also see incredible potential for sending Asian Americans into the mission field all around the world. Most Asian-Americans, like me, are bicultural, so they have grown up learning to contextualize and operate in two different worlds. Asian-American believers often fare better as missionaries in international, cross-cultural settings.

Our ministry is funded by churches, individuals and families who partner with us in helping bring the message of hope and healing to a hurting world.

MY REVIEW
  Warrior in Pink by Vivian Mabuni is a true story of Vivian’s fight against breast cancer. It is very inspiring and uplifting. She tells how she got through it with having a wonderful supporting family and many, many friends. She didn’t stay away and by herself with the cancer. She let people help her and get her through all of the pain and heartache.
  Through all of this Vivian keeps her trust and faith in God. She fights and lets God and others help her. This dear lady has such strength and courage and never gives up. If you or someone you know has cancer this book is one they should read. I highly recommend it.

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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

A Reason for Hope by Michael S. Barry A Review

ABOUT A REASON FOR HOPE
As a pastor and chaplain at a cancer treatment facility, Dr. Michael S. Barry has spent hours with cancer patients listening to their stories, reflecting with them on their disease, and helping them better understand the role their faith can play at this critical time. And frequently, he has sat beside them as they wrestle with tough questions that have no easy answers.

Now Dr. Barry shares the answers that have come to his heart through his ministry to men, women, and young people engaged in the battle of their lives. These answers will re-engage your faith, re-energize your mind and body, and revitalize your hope. These answers will truly give you A Reason for Hope.

File Size: 3767 KB
Print Length: 128 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook (September 1, 2015)
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B012UZ4ADA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As director of pastoral care at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia, Dr. Michael S. Barry specializes in the connection between spirituality and health, particularly as it relates to cancer. Dr. Barry earned his bachelor of arts at the University of Texas at Austin, master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and doctor of ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary.

MY REVIEW
  A Reason for Hope by Dr. Michael S. Barry is an exceptional book. In his book he tells us that many things contribute to cancer and how he shares with us the different things that need to be done if you have cancer.
Dr. Barry is the first to say that if it is your time to die then God will take you, but if it isn’t your time these steps will help you.
 One amazing thing Dr. Barry said is that people have been cured/healed from every type of cancer. So it is possible to beat any type you have.
 He said the main thing is a positive attitude to overcome. If you think you are going to die you will even if it’s not your time.
  Having faith and praying, growing closer to God are all very important steps. Nothing will make you stronger than being close to God.
  This isn’t the only thing that can cause cancer, but one thing is having a very drastic thing happen in your life, like a death of a family member, divorce, loss of job. It all depends on how you handle these horrific events. The main reason you could get cancer during these times is because your immune system is fighting your emotions and the cancer slips in.
  Also things like diet, not exercising or bad habits.
   The book is telling us even if these things happen we have hope. Never lose sight of that, because once your hope is gone it’s to late. Also if a doctor tells you, you only have a few weeks or months don’t believe them. God is the one who is in control and you need to keep the faith and hope. Very interesting, small book. Recommended.

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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

The Plain Choice by Sherry Gore A Review

ABOUT THE PLAIN CHOICE
Raised in a broken family and emotionally overlooked, Sherry Gore grew up without a solid foundation, a prisoner of her own poor choices, and at times without hope.  A series of terrible mistakes left her feeling wrecked and alone and a sudden tragedy threw Sherry into an emotional tailspin too powerful to escape.


Sherry hangs by a thread, unable to see how she can go on living, until it happens: on a morning of no particular significance, she walks into a church and BAM the truth of Jesus’ forgiving love shatters her world and cleaves her life in two:  She goes to bed stunned; she wakes up a Christian.


Unwilling to return to the darkness of her former life, Sherry attacks her faith head on.  Soon the life Sherry Gore remakes for herself and her children as she seeks to follow the teachings of the Bible features head coverings, simple dress, and a focus on Jesus Christ.  Only then does she realize, in a fit of excitement, that there are others like her.  They are called Amish and Mennonite, and she realizes she has found her people.


The plain choice that Sherry makes is not easy – and life still brings unexpected pain and heartache - but it changes everything for her, as she becomes one of the few people on earth to have successfully joined the Amish from the outside.


She has found her place. And her story proves that one can return from the darkest depths to the purest light with the power of God.

File Size: 953 KB
Print Length: 179 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
Publisher: Zondervan (August 25, 2015)
Publication Date: August 25, 2015
Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
Language: English
ASIN: B00P5W5FXA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sherry Gore is former editor-in-chief of Cooking & Such magazine, the author of "Simply Delicious Amish Cooking", "Me, Myself and Pie" and a weekly scribe for the national edition of the Amish newspaper, The Budget, established in 1890. The National Geographic Channel featured Sherry prominently their documentary series, Amish: Out of Order. Sherry's culinary adventures have been seen on NBC Daytime; the Today Show; Mr. Food Test Kitchen and more. Sherry is a year-round resident of beautiful, sun-kissed Sarasota, Florida, the vacation paradise of the Plain People. She has three children and is a member of a Beachy Amish Mennonite church. When not spending time with her family, writing, or eating, Sherry is a cooking show host, and an official pie contest judge.

MY REVIEW
  The Plain Choice by Sherry Gore is a really interesting book. I’ve followed her on face book for a while and have enjoyed her outlook on things. So when I got the chance to read and review this book I was very glad.
   I admire Sherry for the things she has been through and how she made her life better and didn’t keep making horrible choices in life. So many people get in a cycle of living one way and never try or don’t think they can improve or change.
  Sherry has done one thing that I don’t agree with in her life, but that isn’t my life or my conviction. After she became a Christian and her second husband wasn’t a Christian she felt she should leave her husband. I think that’s wrong, but it’s her choice.  I admire women who become Christians and stay with their unChristian husbands.
   Sherry has a great love for her Lord, family, friends and life. I really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to you.

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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

Hiding Places by Erin Healy A Review

ABOUT HIDING PLACES
The Harrison lodge is full of hiding places where young Kate can discover all the secrets no one wants her to know.


Eleven-year-old Kate keeps her knowledge to herself—one sister’s stash of marijuana, the other’s petty cash pilfering, her grandfather’s contraband candy bars. She protects her mother and Gran, too, screening out critical comments from the hotel suggestions box. But suddenly the stakes are raised; her grandfather’s best friend is murdered the day after Kate heard the two men arguing.


At the same time, far from the quiet mountain resort, a homeless man sees a robbery gone wrong . . . a gang member seeks revenge for the death of his son . . . and a boy chooses the worst time to wield spray paint on a store window. In a strange and spiraling sequence of events, their disparate worlds collide at Harrison Lodge.


Kate offers shelter to one of them, unaware of the terrible consequences to the family she loves. But people can hide in all kinds of ways, sometimes even in plain sight . . . and some secrets are just waiting to be exposed.

File Size: 1620 KB
Print Length: 361 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1401689604
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 8, 2015)
Publication Date: September 8, 2015
Sold by: HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Language: English
ASIN: B00PWOHB7O

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Erin Healy writes supernatural suspense novels from a Christian worldview. Her books explore what it means to be a spiritual being in a physical world, and a physical creature in a spiritual world. She is an award-winning fiction editor who worked with Ted Dekker on more than a dozen of his stories before their collaboration on KISS and BURN. She owns WordWright Editorial Services, a consulting firm specializing in fiction book development. Her latest novel, Hiding Places will be out September 8, 2015



MY REVIEW
  Hiding Places by Erin Healy is an excellent book. I’ve read many of Erin’s books and have enjoyed them all.
Eleven-year-old Kate is a girl who loves being a spy. She loves her family especially her grandfather. In this book you read about the adventures of Kate and how sometimes her family doesn’t even see her or care where she is or what she does.
  Hiding Places shows that families have so many secrets and things not even all of the family knows about.
  Kate hears a cat meowing in the middle of the night and goes out to see what it is. She comes across a young man who has had a motorcycle accident. She wants to go for help, but he won’t let her. He doesn’t want to go to the doctor either, even though he has broken his leg. So Kate and the young man struggle back to her house, but Kate knows about secret panels and rooms. So Kate helps to hide him.
  The young man is helping with a robbery when a boy gets in the way and they kidnap him to escape.  Later he is killed, but by whom.
   In the little town where Kate lives there has been a murder now Charlie is hurt and hiding from the men who think he killed the boy. So very, very suspenseful, full of intrigue and mystery.
  I love the secret panels and hiding places. Highly recommend this fascinating book.

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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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

Taken by Dee Henderson A REVIEW

ABOUT TAKEN
Abducted at the age of sixteen and coerced into assisting the Jacoby crime family, Shannon Bliss has finally found a way out. She desperately wants to resume some semblance of normal life, but she also knows she has some unfinished business to attend to. She has enough evidence to put her captors behind bars for a very long time.

When Shannon contacts private investigator and former cop Matthew Dane to help her navigate her reentry into society, she quickly discovers that gaining her freedom doesn't mean her troubles are over. For one thing, her brother is the leading candidate in the race for Illinois governor, and news of her escape will create a media frenzy. For another, the ransom her family reportedly paid years earlier appears to have been a scam; no one knows what happened to the money. And then there's the fact that Shannon's escape involved faking her own death. If the Jacoby family learns she is still alive, they'll stop at nothing to silence her.

If justice is to be done, and if Shannon's life is ever to get on track again, Matthew will need to discover exactly what happened to her--even if it means stirring up a hornet's nest of secrets.

Print Length: 432 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (April 28, 2015)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00QMSCN0Y
Text-to-Speech: Enabled

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dee Henderson is the author of numerous novels, including Unspoken, Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story, Full Disclosure, and the acclaimed O’Malley series. Her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion.
Visit her at DeeHenderson.com.

MY REVIEW
  I love, love, love books by Dee Henderson and this one Taken is just fabulous. The book Taken isn’t out until April 28th, but it is well worth waiting for. I was grabbed from the first page of this book and know you will be also.
  It tells the story of Shannon Bliss who was kidnapped when she was 16 and had to live with the kidnappers until she escaped many, many years later. Shannon reads about a retired police officer that had his daughter kidnapped, but made it home so she went to him for help. Matthew helps her do the things she needs while providing her with safety and security.
  Shannon knows a lot about the kidnappers and where they meet and where they hid the treasures that they steal. She will help the police, but only at her time and the place she desires. Shannon has her head on and makes a lot of lists. She has a long journey to get back to normal life. Many tears are shed and heartaches shared.
  Shannon made a list of the 5 things she wants most out of life. Get her GED, have a career that will support her, get married, have children, but the last one we only know the first half of. So I’m looking forward to book two to find out the last part of her last wish on the list.
This book Taken by Dee Henderson, book one in the Men of Valor series is superb and very, very suspenseful, but full of love, tenderness and compassion. Highly recommended.



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I received my free copy from Net Galley 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