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Showing posts from June, 2024

Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes

I was on the launch team for this book! I really enjoyed reading it! Here's my review: I really enjoyed reading this book! The writing is extraordinary! The imagery is delightful! There's a mystery to be solved and some precarious situations. The characters are wonderful! I love that there were portions of the letters that Mary Beth and Rusty wrote to each other. Their friendship definitely goes through the fire. Each character was hoping for a different life but ended up being happy and satisfied with the life they had. The saying "don't let your past determine your future" rings true throughout this book. Each character has to release the past so that they can flourish in the present. I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Toward the Dawn by Mary Connealy

I won this book from LibraryThing and I was super excited! Mary Connealy is a wonderful writer! Here's my review: This is a very interesting and exciting book to read! There's so much going on! There's a sweet love story that's filled with secrets! There's also murder, kidnapping, and attempted murder. There's new friendships and twin babies being born! The characters are wonderful! They're so well written, even the perpetrators. I love how Kat and Seb start to work together towards a common goal. I also like how the community living in the canyon helps each other and truly acts like family. I feel like this can be read as a stand-alone, but it would have made a little more sense if I'd read the first book. Mary Connealy does such a good job writing that it's easy to pick up where the story is heading. I won a complimentary early review copy of the book from LibraryThing through Bethany House. All thoughts and opinions are my own. If you re

Love Unscripted by Denise Hunter

I absolutely love books by Denise Hunter! Here's my review: I really enjoyed reading this book! The setting of Stillwater Bay, North Carolina, is picturesque and serene! The story is a romance with a twist! What could possibly go wrong with pretending to be in a relationship? The characters are wonderful and relatable! Chloe is so easy to like! She's genuine, hardworking, compassionate, and caring. Some things from her past make her reluctant to open up her heart to love. Liam is swoon worthy! He's been dealt some hard blows, but he keeps on keeping on! I like that he strives to be honest and transparent. One thing that really resonated with me while reading this book is how public people's lives become when they're in the spotlight. I have renewed respect for all of those who struggle to have an ordinary life while maintaining their image in the public eye. I look forward to the next book by Denise Hunter!! I hope you read it and enjoy it! Jeanette

Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson

I had the utter delight of reviewing this book! I'd never heard of this author, but now she's on my radar! Here's my review: Wow! I found this to be a delightful and enchanting book! A combination of a Hollywood star who crosses paths with a southern makeup artist; one with an axe to grind. What could possibly go wrong? The setting of Hope Springs is serene. The wide open spaces and clear sky offer peace to those who are searching for it. The characters are written brilliantly! I felt an instant connection with Adanne. She's carrying heavy burdens that she feels she can't share. She's also trying to hold on to her parents' legacy despite its financial issues. John amazes me. He starts out as this man who can barely hold his life together. Then he gives his heart to God, and the pieces of his life start to fall in place. The BEST parts of the book for me are the ones that involve faith in God! "You see, family, the question is not if God is doin

Florida Trip 2024

I thought I'd post something other than book reviews- to show I have other intrests! My family and I went to Florida this past May. We had a great time! We stayed in Tampa for 3 days and then we went to the beach! My father, mother and brother were able to join us too! It's been 10 years since the whole family had a vacation together and we had a blast! Here are some pictures! A few more: My husband says that all of the sunset pictures look the same but they don't! You can see how the waves are different at the bottom. Anyway, I love the beach and I love vacation and I love my family!

From Shock to Law by Lisa Saunders

Here's my review: In this book, the author bares her heart and soul regarding how the virus CMV impacted her and her whole family's life. As I read the book I instantly felt a connection to Elizabeth. The pictures of her beautiful smile made me smile! I can honestly say that I've never heard of this virus before. I'm so grateful that people like Lisa Saunders persevered to have a law passed to protect mothers and their children. The scriptures throughout the book are inspiring and encouraging! They offer hope to those struggling with pain or worry. I met Lisa earlier this year at Bible study! She's an awesome person and I'm so glad to have her in my life. I didn't know about the extreme heartache that she has gone through until reading this book. I really admire and respect her.

Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox

I won this book from LibraryThing! Amanda Cox just amazes me with her books! Here's my review: Wow! This is an absolutely amazing book! It has suspense, a mystery, lost love and found love! The mystery was like puzzle pieces that needed to fit together to see the whole picture! The love stories are romantic and beautiful! The characters are fabulous! I was totally invested in each of their lives. Joey has had some tough times, but a new location and project bring hope to her life! Finn is full of heartbreak, and he's not ready to let go of the little family that he has left. Cathleen is a woman of strength and courage. She has to make hard decisions at a young age and loses all that she holds dear. Second chances are a theme that's prevalent in the book. Most of the characters receive second chances to forgive and/or love. I really liked the idea of family in this book. Joey and Finn seem to collect people that they fold into their lives. It's a beautiful thing! I

Finding Home by Susan K Macias

Wow! I won this book via LibraryThing and I'm so glad that I did! Here's my review: Wow. I'm still processing this book. It touched my heart on so many levels. The writing is extraordinary. I was literally transported to cities like Ephesus , Meron, and Sepphoris at the time period of AD 19-20. I could hear the lambs that were waiting for sacrifice and smell the roasting meat and baking bread! The complete symbolism of Abba and God the Father blew me away. I have heard the story of the prodigal son since I was in Sunday school, but this book took it to new depths. The love and forgiveness that Abba poured out continuously on his sons brought tears to my eyes. "I give you everything, my possessions, this home, the groves, the vineyards and sheep. Everything is yours. But even more, all my heart is yours, I hold nothing back." The characters are relatable in so many ways. Abba is so generous, loving, forgiving, sincere, compassionate, and giving. Hadassah is a

Dreams on the Horizon by Penny Zeller

I'm on the launch team for this book! I just love Penny Zeller! She's just a wonderful author- the way she creates characters and a storyline amazes me! Here's my review: I really enjoyed reading this book! Penny Zeller is a master storyteller! I was immediately hooked from the first line! It was very interesting that a lot of the story revolved around a school for the deaf. There's some drama, a kidnapping, and painful reminders of the past. There's also the blessing of a loving family, new dreams, and a sweet romance! The characters are relatable and easy to like! I liked Mae right from the beginning. Her servant heart and humbleness are inspiring! Landon's lack of relationship with his father touched my heart. The Lieutenant and Miss Greta made me chuckle! They have quite the personalities! The importance of family is prevalent in the book. The Shepherdsons provide a home full of love, protection, and security. Their love and acceptance of others help Ma

Dysfunction Junction by Robin Pearson

I kept hearing about this book but I was on a long waitlist at the library. Boy, am I glad I got the chance to read it! Amazing! Here's my review: Wow! This book didn't just touch my heart. It touched my soul. When the present has to be confronted with the past, it guarantees that pain will come to the surface. I found the characters absolutely amazing! The three sisters are all on different paths with forgiveness and healing. I related to each in some way. Oliver is fantastic! He puts God first and isn't ashamed of it. His love for his family is genuine and true. Aunt Hattie is my favorite! Full of spunk and a heart as big as the ocean. She is someone I'd like to emulate. The aspects of faith in the book are inspiring. Also, the fact that some of the characters are struggling with their faith is relatable. "God says it all works to the good of those who love Him, and I believe it. Not some, but all." I would recommend this book to everyone!

It's all Relative by Rachel Magee

I received this book via NetGalley! I just love that website! There's tons of books that you can read and review! Here's my review: More than 5 stars for this book! Oh my word- I laughed, and I cried! The writing is absolutely brilliant! The story tackles the subject of a blended family in which most of the "children" are adults. I liked how the characters made sure that their parent's wedding was perfect. The setting is gorgeous! Gotta love a beach wedding! Each one of the characters touched my heart. Nora for her bravery. Steve for opening his heart to love again. Helena for her compassion. Amelia for her gift of making sure everyone feels included. Landon, Gage, and Peter are loyal and always ready to lend a hand. Emory for her genuine, loving nature. Aunt Robyn for her quirky and adorable personality! The unity ceremony brought tears to my eyes. That each person's individual creativity joined together created something beautiful! I was provided a co

Not Quite Colonel Brandon by Kim Griffin

I was on the launch team for the book and I'm so glad I was! Here's my review: Wow! What an amazing book! There's so much going on! It has suspense, intrigue, and a huge mystery! It's astounding how a family heirloom can change someone's life. The love story is sweet and romantic! The characters are wonderful! There are some familiar ones from "Not Quite Mr Darcy." Megan is someone I'd like to emulate. Her faith in God is inspiring! How she lives her life leads others to God. The absolute best parts of the book for me are the abundance of scripture references! It was encouraging and inspiring to me as the characters encouraged each other with meaningful scriptures. I had the privilege of reading the other book in this series, and it's amazing, too! I eagerly look forward to the next book! I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Amish Love letters

Here's my review: This is a fantastic set of novellas by great authors! I really enjoyed each story revolving around love letters! The characters are all wonderful and easy to relate to! I found myself cheering on all of them in their romantic pursuits! The best thing about these books for me is the Amish aspect. I find myself relaxing as I read, letting the slower pace of life, the sense of community, and the trust in God settle over me.

Southern Refuge: Cowboy Redeemed by Eliza McJames

I was on the launch team for this book and I really enjoyed reading it! Here's my Goodreads review: Wow! This book had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next! It's a perfect blend of suspense and intrigue. The love story is complicated because it involves hurt feelings past and present. Hazel and Ethan have much to overcome. There are many familiar characters from previous books! Hazel is amazing! She's smart, a daredevil, and she's not afraid to say what's on her mind! Ethan is swoon worthy! He's not only handsome, but he's clever! I highly recommend reading the Billionaire Cowboy Series too! They are excellent books with wonderful characters! I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Let me know if you read it! Jeanette

Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate

Wow! This book blew me away. Another great book by Lisa Wingate! Here's my review: Wow! I'm blown away by this book. It is difficult to read, but despite the moments of sadness, there is hope. I already have high respect for those who work to make others safe. This book made my appreciation for them all grow by leaps and bounds. The elf children's story broke my heart. Ollie, Nessa, Tula, and the others are such strong children. They are inventive and creative. They form their own little family and make a home. I appreciate the amount of research that Lisa Wingate does for her books. She inspires me to investigate historical facts. Her author's note is very interesting! I was provided a copy of the book from Ballantine Books, Random House via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Coal Black Lies by Cindy K Sproles

An amazing book! Here's my review: Wow! What an extraordinary book! The setting in a coal mining town in Appalachia is both beautiful and desolate. Unfortunately, greed and bad management threaten to crush the souls and lives of the miners and their families. There are several gun fights, loss of life sadness. But, there's forgiveness, restoration, and renewal of faith in God! The characters are written brilliantly! So many of them touched my heart. Aughtie is my favorite! She is a ray of sunshine that brings hope and unconditional love to everyone she meets! Joshua's growth emotionally was inspirational. He suffered much heartache to the point that he wondered if life was worth living. God sent him a precious gift that reopened his heart to hope. I absolutely loved the sense of community that Joshua, Raney, Clive, and Cleda Mae pursue to ensure that the miners and their families prosper. It reminds me of the early church in Acts. The faith aspects throughout the book

The French Winemaker's Daughter by Loretta Ellsworth

This book had my emotions all over the place.. Here's my review: Wow! This book is captivating! The story intrigued me from the beginning! I enjoyed the bit of mystery that the main character had to solve. The imagery brings the entire book to life! A lot of the characters were easy to like and emphasize with. I think Ada is my favorite! She's compassionate, loving, and has a true calling to help others. She also always goes the extra mile. Her unselfish attitude saved many people in the war. This is the first book that I've read by this author, but it certainly won't be the last! I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Harper Collins Publishers via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rocky Moutain Journey by Misty Beller

Wow, wow, wow!!! Misty Beller is an exceptional writer! Here's my review: Wow! I'd give this book more than 5 stars if I could! The Collins sisters' story continues in this third book. There's intrigue, a mystery, and a kidnapping. There's also the joy of finding someone who had a huge impact on the sisters, a reunion of brothers and the sweetest love story! If you're familiar with the characters from the previous books, you'll know that they're wonderful! An awesome addition is Grant. He's 😍! Despite the fact that he's on his own journey, he selflessly helps others. His compassion and bravery are exemplary! Steps Right is a woman of strength and faith! I also enjoyed the way that Faith grew spiritually. Her unwavering belief in God helped soften Grant's heart. The best parts of the book for me were when the characters realized that they could trust God! Misty Beller always has faith components in her books, and I find them inspiring an

Just Be Here by Susan Page Davis

This book is amazing! Here's my review: I really enjoyed reading this book! I expected a straight-up romance book but was very surprised when dramatic and harrowing circumstances occurred. It is a squeaky clean Christian Romance book that is refreshing! I didn't connect with Libby right away, but then her past heartbreak was revealed, and I sympathized with her. I liked Nick right away! He's a gentleman, courageous, and brave! All of the other characters are relatable and easy to like! My favorite parts of the book are when they involve faith in God. I loved how the characters grow in their trust in God, too. It's refreshing and encouraging! I'll definitely be reading more books by this author!

An Amish Cradle

This is a great compilation of novellas by popular Amish fiction authors! I really enjoyed reading them! Here's my review: This is a fantastic compilation of novellas written by 4 awesome authors! I enjoyed reading each one of the stories! I especially love that they're Amish fiction! The characters in all of the stories are wonderful and easy to like! Each of them go through difficult issues and struggle to understand God's plan. The best parts of the books for me are when the characters turn to their faith in hard times. Bonus feature- a few recipes at the back of the book!!

All's Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

I really enjoyed this book! Yes, I read it in summer but it was the perfect book to read at the time. I had been reading really heavy books and this lightened my spirit! Here's my review: This is well deserving of 5 stars or more! The writing is perfection! I cried, but mostly I laughed! There's nothing like a Christmas rom com to get you in the mood for the holidays! The writing of the characters is brilliant! I really connected to them all and became interested in how their stories would play out. Keri is my favorite. She's the best friend that everyone wants in their life. She's compassionate, level-headed, and gives great advice! The way that the romance played out was sweet and romantic! I especially liked how MacKenzie and Jeremy were set up by a few people! There are a lot of spiritual aspects to the story. I really appreciated that. MacKenzie turns to her Bible and prayer to help her through difficult situations. I'd put this on the level of must read

Darkness Calls the Tiger by Janyre Tromp

This is an exceptional book! Here's my review: Wow! What an exceptional book! My emotions are all over the place. From deep despair to a promising future, but what a road to get there. Trust is the main theme of this book. Trust in others, trust when there seems to be no hope and ultimately trust in God. The characters are written brilliantly. Kai brought tears to my eyes, tears for the pain that she endured, tears for the losses in her life, and then tears of happiness when she can finally leave her past behind and embrace her future. Ryan reminds me of Jesus. His sacrificial love for others almost cost him his life. I can't say that this isn't a difficult book to read because it is. Because of the time frame and the historical significance, there is a lot of violence. There is also hope and restoration. There's also a realistic struggle with trusting God. I appreciated the author's note in regard to this. I certainly look forward to reading the next book by

To Crown with Liberty by Karen Ullo

Wow! This book is amazing! Here's my review: Wow! This is an amazing book! It should be made into a movie, it's that good! There's intrigue, suspense, murder, espionage, and a sweet love story! The imagery is fantastic! I truly felt as if I was in Paris, wandering through the halls of the palace. I could also feel the heat of Louisiana. The characters are written brilliantly! My favorite is Joseph. He's compassionate, loving, and gives of himself over and over. Alix suffered much heartache, but she grew and matured as a woman. There are some difficult circumstances in the book. The murder situations are descriptive, there's abandonment issues, and a really intense accident that leads to death. I feel like these parts don't take away from the book; they are part of history. The theme of liberty rings true throughout the book! Liberty to be who you are meant to be, liberty to have freedom of religion, and liberty to live life free! I was provided a complimen