The Yuletide Rescue by Margaret Daley

Alaskan Search & Rescue

Risking Their lives to save the day!!

Back cover & Photo from Barnes & Noble

 

Back Cover: MISTLETOE & MURDER

  When Dr. Bree Mathison's plane plummets into the Alaskan wilderness at Christmastime, she is torn between grief and panic. With the pilot—her dear friend—dead and wolves circling, she struggles to survive. Search and Rescue leader David Stone fights his way through the elements to save her. David suspects the plane crash might not have been an accident, spurring Bree's sense that she's being watched. But why is someone after her? Suddenly Bree finds herself caught in the middle of a whirlwind of secrets during the holiday season. With everyone she cares about most in peril, Bree and her promised protector must battle the Alaskan tundra and vengeful criminals to make it to the New Year.

My Review: The Yuletide Rescue, Alaskan Search & Rescue by Margaret Daley

Love Inspired Suspense

Suspense, Romance, Christian Fiction

ISBN 97803736377

   As Dr. Bree Mathinson returns home with family friend and pilot Jeremiah, he suffers a heart attack and crashes the plane. Alone in the Alaskan wilderness, to face subzero temps and a pack of wolves, Bree fights to survive. David Stone with Northern Frontier Search and Rescue Organization races to her rescue. As they are leaving the crash site armed men descend upon the plane. Later the plane is stolen and Bree’s home and office are trashed and searched. Her friend and coworker is kidnapped. Bree’s quite life is in turmoil. Her heart is broken over the death of a friend and the unknown about his life.

Quote, “What were you up to Jeremiah?

Where did the money come from?

Why are people after me?”

   The author Margaret Daley did an outstanding job of intertwining faith into this action packed suspense book. The characters were well developed and believable. The storyline is well thought out, fast paced and jam-packed with action. I give The Yuletide Rescue 5 stars and highly recommend this faith filled book. I really enjoy this book and many others by this author.

   I want to thank the author Margaret Daley and publisher Love Inspired Suspense for bringing good clean Christian books like this one to readers like me. I was provided with this book in exchange for my honest review.

Margaret Daley

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Running Lean by Diana L. Sharples



Photo from http://dianasharples.com/

 

Book Description from Back Cover:

Equilibrium.

That’s what Stacey and Calvin found in each other. He is as solid as his beloved vintage motorcycle and helps quiet the constant clamor in Stacey’s mind. She is a passionate, creative spirit—and a lifeline after Calvin’s soldier brother dies.

But lately the balance is off. Calvin’s grief is taking it's toll. Voices of self-loathing are dominating Stacey’s life. When struggles with body image threaten her health, Calvin can’t bear to lose another person that he loves. Taking action may destroy their relationship, but the alternative could be much more costly.

 



My review: Running Lean by Diana L. Sharples

Teen Fiction, Christian, romance, anorexic

ISBN 9780310734970

Teens Stacey and Calvin are high school sweethearts dealing with some very serious problems, anorexia and the death of a sibling. Calvin’s older brother died in Afghanistan and Stacey is hiding a life-threatening secret of her own. Stacey helps Calvin to deal with the death of his beloved brother. As time goes on Calvin realizes Stacey has a problem and try’s to help her. He is understanding, compassionate, sensitive and tries not make things worst. Farmer boy as Stacey’s BFF calls him is a great boyfriend and would be any girls dream.

I found this book to be intense and heartbreaking at times. It was very informative about anorexia. The characters were well thought out, real, like any teen you might meet on the street or the kid next door. I found their pain to be real, they were emotional and had me take a hard look at someone I care about that suffers from anorexia. The author Diana L. Shaples gave great insight into the life an anorexia and the worry it causes those that care about them. She handled a sensitive subject with compassion and sensitivity of someone that may have lived with this. I give 5 stars to Running Lean and highly recommend it. I can’t wait for other family members read it to see how it effects them.

I want to give a high-five to the author Diana L. Sharples and publisher Blink for bringing compelling Christian books that are entertaining and give hope to the reader with stories of faith. The Book Club Network Inc. provided me with this book in exchange for my honest review and I am so grateful for their, the authors and publishers generosity. 

Diana L. Sharples

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Chapel Springs Revival by Ane Mullgan

Photo from http://www.anemulligan.com/

Book Description from Back Cover: Everybody in the small town of Chapel Springs, Georgia, knows best friends Claire Bennett and Patsy Kowalski. It's impossible not to, what with Claire's zany antics and Patsy's self-appointed mission to keep her friend out of trouble. And trouble abounds.

During an early morning discussion at Dees 'n' Doughs bakery with their ladies group, all Chapel Springs entrepreneurs, attention is drawn to the slackened tourist trade. With their livelihoods threatened, they join forces to address the town's revitalization in hopes of drawing back the tourists. No one could have guessed the real issue needing restoration is their marriages.

Claire, a pottery artist, stumbles through life, usually with her foot in her mouth. When she became a Christian, she thought life and her marriage would be included in the new creation part. But her thighs are just as big and her husband, Joel, is as ornery as ever. She's become nothing more than a sheet-changer, a towel-folder, a pancake-flipper. Her life is just humdrum and she's tired of being taken for granted.

Patsy has plans for her empty nest, plans that include a cruise ship. However, her husband, Nathan, continues to work long hours, and he's not talking about slowing down. In fact, he's not talking much at all. She's asleep long before he comes home each night. At first she thought it was just because of tax season, but now she's not so sure. Something other than work seems to keep him late at the office every night. With the lines of communication closed, she'll have to find another way to reach him.

With their marriages as much in need of restoration as the town, Claire and Patsy embark on a mission of mishaps and miscommunication, determined to restore warmth to Chapel Springs —and their lives. That is if they can convince their husbands and the town council, led by two curmudgeons who would prefer to see Chapel Springs left in the fifties and closed to traffic.



 

My review: Chapel Springs Revival by Ane Mulligan

Christian, Humorous

ISBN: 9781941103418

Quote “With fiends like Claire, you need a gurney, a mop, and a guardian angel.”

Best friends Claire Bennett and Pasty Kowalski live in Chapel Springs, Georgia. With the help of entrepreneurs in the community they try to revive their tired little town and restore their marriages. As they make changes to improve their town and marriages they stumble from one hilarious situation to another. I found the antics of Claire to be quite funny. I especially laughed when she fell in an open grave and had to be rescued. It seems that life around Claire was anything but boring. She was always in need of rescuing and often it was her buddy Pasty giving her a helping hand. If there was one thing to take away from this fascinating story it would be communication is everything. I give this comical story 4 stars and highly recommend it. The author Ane Mulligan did a great job of filling her characters with animation, joy and laughter. I can only wonder how much come from real life, because you really can not make some of this up. This was my first book I read by her but I can not wait to find another.

I want to give a high-five to the author Ane Mulligan and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolines for bringing compelling Christian books that are entertaining and bring laughter to the reader with stories of faith. The Book Club Network Inc. provided me with this book in exchange for my honest review and I am so grateful for their, the authors and publishers generosity.

Ane Mulligan

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Tell Me about Prayer

Photo & Book description from Barnes & Noble

Tell Me about Prayer

Created by Stephen Elkins - Train ’em up with Wonder Kids

ISBN 978-1-4143-9680-4

Juvenile Nonfiction, Religion, Christian

Book Description: Train ’Em Up is an interactive, fun-filled, and affordable series that uses a train locomotive theme for teaching kids core Christian beliefs and principles. In Tell Me about Prayer, a friendly train conductor, Mr. Steve, teaches kids what prayer is all about, how we should talk to God, and why our conversations are so important to Him. Through bold graphics and interactive songs and stories, Train ’Em Up makes it easy for parents and teachers to explain biblical concepts like prayer in a way that helps with attention, memorization, and recall while building a solid faith foundation. Each book in the series includes a CD with sing-along songs and narrated stories with sound effects, plus a colorful sticker sheet! Tyndale House Publishers

My Review: Tell me about Prayer is the cutest little book explaining what prayer is, in a easy to understand way for young children. I got this book to use with my grandchildren and they loved it. The author did an outstanding job of explaining pray in a way that was thought provoking to a 5 and 8 year old. I enjoyed how at the end of each prayer example a scripture was included. It also comes with a CD that reads the book and has songs. This is a great tool to use with young children. As an extra bonus there are stickers that any child will love. This book was definitely a hit with my grandkids. I highly recommend it and give it 5 stars.

I want to thank the author Stephen Elkins and publisher Tyndale for fun and educational books for young children. I was provided with this book in exchange for my honest review by Tyndale.

Forever with You by Robinn Jones Gunn



I recently read a great book. It was the kind of book that got me thinking and questioning my faith. I guess it had me asking myself if I really do trust God. I am a Christian and have been for many years, I thought I trusted God. But this book made me take a harder look at how I was trusting Him. You see I have been on a search for a job for quite awhile. I have prayed about it, had others pray from me and with me but, I received no employeement. After reading this book I have questioned myself if  I really was trusting Him in my circimstances? Our finances are very tight and I owe money. Month after month it is the same, there has been no change, we are still struggling. This fiction book opend my eyes. It was, Forever With You , Book one, The Married Years by Robin Jones Gunn, I highly recommend this book to anyone that has ever struggled.

About the book:

Forever With You

Christy & Todd: The Married Years

Book One

Now that they have been married for almost two years, Christy and Todd are facing challenges neither of them expected. Everything that felt familiar in their relationship is being shaken. All they had hoped for in their future together is about to change.

When Christy shares her life-altering news with Todd, she doesn't receive the joyful response she was expecting. Aunt Marti inserts a few strong opinions about how the young couple should navigate this difficult season and when Todd's dad asks for help renovating his Newport Beach home it's clear that nothing will ever be the same for them again.

As Christy and Todd's relationship is radically altered will they continue to drift apart? Or will they come through the major shifts with a deeper love each for other and the One who brought them together in the first place?

My Review: Forever With You, Book 1 -  The Married Years by Robin Jones Gunn

ISBN 9780982877210

Christian Fiction, Romance

Christy and Todd Spencer have a rough road ahead of them. They face job loss and difficulties that test their faith and marriage. But with a strong faith they face adversity head on and shine. Towards the end of the book as they renovate Todd’s fathers house they do a house blessing that I thought was a fantastic idea. They wrote scriptures on the floors before the carpet was installed. Wow what a way to show God praise.

This was one of the most inspiring books I have read in a very long time. It’s the kind of book that had me anticipating God’s next move. It inspired me to think and trust God in a greater way. I had to pull back and look at my faith on the issue of trust. Todd and Christy’s faith is the kind of devotion to God I dream about having. The author Robin Jones Gunn’s strong faith shined in this 5 star book. I highly recommend it to anyone that is a Christian.

I want to give a high-five to the author Robin Jones Gunn and publisher for bringing compelling Christian books that are entertaining and give hope to the reader with stories of faith. The Book Club Network Inc. provided me with this book in exchange for my honest review and I am so grateful for their, the authors and publishers generosity.

About the author: Robin Jones Gunn has written over 80 books. She is author of the laugh out loud Sisterchicks series, the Christy Miller Series, as well a many non fiction and childrens books.

 Robin Jones Gunn

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Habakkuk 3

  Tonight I sat on the porch in the cool breeze and cried out to God. I told him I was depressed, disappointed and that I needed Him to speak to me. I felt like I could not take much more. I asked that His word would be alive to me. As I seat there, I closed my eyes and opened my Bible. It fell on Habakkuk 3. When I first started reading I thought Father God no, I want easier times, I don't want to go through hard times. But he showed me He gives me the strenght to go through the hard times and He is there with me in my mist. His word revealed to me that hard and difficult times will not last forever. This will pass, for He is in control. All I am called to do is trust God and wait patiently for Him to act. My needs will be met. I discovered when my world is in turmail and nothing makes sense, when I seem to be drowning in troubles God gives me the strength to face tomorrow. All I need to do is look to Him.  

Habakkuk's Prayer from biblegateway

3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.

² Lord, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.

³ God came from Teman,
the Holy One from Mount Paran.
His glory covered the heavens
and his praise filled the earth.
⁴ His splendor was like the sunrise;
rays flashed from his hand,
where his power was hidden.
⁵ Plague went before him;
pestilence followed his steps.
⁶ He stood, and shook the earth;
he looked, and made the nations tremble.
The ancient mountains crumbled
and the age-old hills collapsed—
but he marches on forever.
⁷ I saw the tents of Cushan in distress,
the dwellings of Midian in anguish.

⁸ Were you angry with the rivers, Lord?
Was your wrath against the streams?
Did you rage against the sea
when you rode your horses
and your chariots to victory?
⁹ You uncovered your bow,
you called for many arrows.
You split the earth with rivers;
¹⁰ the mountains saw you and writhed.
Torrents of water swept by;
the deep roared
and lifted its waves on high.

¹¹ Sun and moon stood still in the heavens
at the glint of your flying arrows,
at the lightning of your flashing spear.
¹² In wrath you strode through the earth
and in anger you threshed the nations.
¹³ You came out to deliver your people,
to save your anointed one.
You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness,
you stripped him from head to foot.
¹⁴ With his own spear you pierced his head
when his warriors stormed out to scatter us,
gloating as though about to devour
the wretched who were in hiding.
¹⁵ You trampled the sea with your horses,
churning the great waters.

¹⁶ I heard and my heart pounded,
my lips quivered at the sound;
decay crept into my bones,
and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity
to come on the nation invading us.
¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.

A Carol for Kent by Hallee Bridgeman

Photos & Book description from Barnes & Noble

 

Book description: A Ruthless Serial Killer Seeks to End a Love Song Eight Years in the Making
Assistant Commonwealth Attorney CAROL MABRY heads up an investigation into a string of stranglings in Virginia's capital. The serial killer known as Richmond Red remorselessly snuffs out beautiful young women with violin strings before ritually enshrining their lovely lifeless bodies inside a pentagram of blood red candles.

Country music superstar BOBBY KENT makes an unscheduled return trip to his Virginia home for the first time in years. To his shock, he discovers that he and Carol have a young daughter, Lisa. His parents have kept Lisa hidden from him her entire life while simultaneously deceiving Carol about Bobby's interest in fatherhood.

Angry and hurt over the deception, Carol and Bobby strive to cope with this newly discovered reality. They struggle to overcome harmful secrets and years of lies to decide whether they have a future. Neither of them realize how every waking moment they move closer to the serial killer who harbors an unnatural and deadly obsession.

With the beautiful Carol locked in Richmond Red's sites, the clock is ticking down to her destruction. Will the two find love, or is their sonata striking a dangerous final chord?

My review: A Carol for Kent, Part 3 of the Song of Suspense series by Hallee Bridgeman

ISBN 9781939603272

Suspense, Romance, Christian Fiction

Now this was a great book. It is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed the characters especially main character Carol Mabry. She had faith and a strong upstanding personality. She had a child out of wedlock and was told the father wanted nothing to do with her child. She put everything she had into giving her daughter a well rounded life and worked hard to provide for her. Bobby Kent the male main character was someone you could look up to. He had it all, rich’s and fame but didn’t let it deflect from his high moral standings. His faith was strong and he was a living testimony to Christ working in his life. He fathered a child and knew nothing about her for eight years but stepped up to the plate as soon as he found her. Together Carol and Bobby struggle to deal with the deception they have faced and test the waters to see if they have a future together.

The author Hallee Bridgeman did an outstanding job bringing the characters to life and filling them with a strong faith and high morals. I loved toward the end of the book where she made references to the Book of Mark when Christ cast out a legion of demons into the herd of pigs. I had to an take another look at this and wondered if demons are the real cause to the worlds evils. She really make me look at things in a slightly different way. I highly recommend A Carol for Kent, it is defiantly 5 star worthy. If you have not read A Melody for James or An Aria for Nick, I suggest you check them out they are fantastic books also.

I want to thank the author Hallee Bridgeman and publisher Olivia Kimbrell Press for bringing compelling Christian books that are entertaining and give hope to the reader with stories of faith. I would also like to thank The Book Club Network Inc. for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.