Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson - my review

I enjoyed the friendship between Lenore and Abrianna in Steadfast Heart (Brides of Seattle, #1) by Tracie Peterson. Together they made a beautiful team. Abrianna with a lovely heart that wants to help all the less fortunate and Lenore who has the means to do so.

I loved the ladies that run the Bridal School! Everything about them makes me want to meet them.

With the lawyer Kolbein, coming to Seattle, looking for his sister Greta, who he thinks is at the Bridal School, and falling for the beautiful Lenore. Wade always looking out for Abrianna, I expected him to also announce that he was in love with her.

I was left wanting to know more at the end of the book though, like what happened with Priam Welby? A very unlikable man from the beginning. And who committed the murders of the three men close to the Bridal School? Perhaps there will be another follow-up book with the answer to these questions in it. I would just like to know if I have figured it out right.


I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Esther: Royal Beauty by Angela Hunt - my review

I finished reading Esther: Royal Beauty by Angela Hunt last night and was completely lost in the telling of this old story. I'm a big fan of Biblical fiction and this will now be on my list of favorites as such.

I have read the Biblical story of Esther and studied it at different times, but after reading this book I will never look at it quite the same again! Angela Hunt brings this old story back to life by letting two characters, Esther (Hadassah) and a eunuch by the name of Harbonah tell the story. I tremendously enjoyed reading this age old story from this perspective. Even though I knew this story, it was still a real page-turner as I read from the view point of Hadassah and Harbonah. It was so easy to love these two, as I read along, crying and laughing with them.


One of my favorite quotes from this book, about this time long since past, so easily fits the Christian life that I walk, today as well.

 We walked in it, traded in it, communicated in it, and did acts of kindness for it. To the casual observer, we might have looked like ordinary people, but we were not. About that, at least, Haman was right. 
 We were children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and we served and invisible God, who remained close to us no matter where we lived. But our hearts did not -- should not -- belong to this world. 


I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes Biblical fiction.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Longing for More by Timothy Willard - my review

Longing for More: Daily Reflections on Finding God in the Rhythms of Life by Timothy Willard is a fabulous devotional. With 52 chapters and a daily reading to lead to a closer walk with Jesus. Each day begins with a scripture, follows with an inspirational reading, and a daily prayer.
This would be a great book to start your day off with along with your morning coffee. I read through the entire book and loved it! Now I will go back and re-read it as a morning devotional. With chapters inculding Love, Hope, Courage, Work, Anxiety, Family, Pain, Disappointment, Shame, Calling, and so many more, all focused on scripture. Timothy Willard helps to take different situations and shows how to find God in each of them.

One of my favorite quotes from this book is...

Perhaps today you need to walk out into the fields, or the woods, or the mountains. Perhaps today you need to feel, to sense, some otherness--the otherness of "my Holy One." Take the the time and walk. Get off your phone. Close your laptop. Shut down the tablet. The Everlasting awaits.  

This is so true we need to shut down things of the world and listen for the voice of God.
 
I highly recommend this book to everyone who like me, is longing for more, it will help you to slow down, pause, reflect, and feel God's loving grace.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber - my review

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber is an awesome book that will leave you wanting to see an Alaskan star-filled sky with the love of your life. I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber novels and nothing beats a great Christmas story.

Carrie is bored writing the same stories about the same social events and wants the chance to write something different. She jumps at the chance to find the author of the book Alone, Finn Dalton. The catch is, that no-one has been able to find him or get an interview with him.
Carrie takes on the challenge and finds herself in Alaska, meeting a dog by the name of Hennessy, as well as the elusive Finn. Two people as different as night and day, a fun-filled story is sure to follow.

A heart-warming Christmas story to get you into the mood. The perfect Christmas book to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.    

My Breaking Point, God's Turning Point by Ricky Texada - my review

In My Breaking Point, God's Turning Point: Experience God's Amazing Power to Restore,  Pastor Ricky Texada, tells the heartbreaking story of loosing his wife in a tragic accident. How God brought him through this devastating loss and showed him that he still had plans for his future. God revealed to him that Debra (his wife) had a choice to come back or remain with Jesus, and she chose to stay with Jesus. His story tells how God gives us beauty in the place of the ashes. The author lost his wife but God restored him with a love that he thought would never again happen, as well as the children that he wanted. Sometimes God's plan isn't the same as our plan for our lives but he loves us all and is always here for us.

I highly recommend this book. This is a great book for anyone who has faced a heartbreaking loss, to help remind you that God does love you and does see the pain you are going through. He isn't finished with you yet.  Keep God first and let him show you his plans for the future.


I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.  

365 Moments of Peace for a Woman's Heart by Baker Publishing Group - my review

365 Moments of Peace for a Woman's Heart: Reflections on God's Gifts of Love, Hope, and Comfort by Baker Publishing Group is a beautiful book, one that feels nice in your hands. Looks and feels so soft, pretty and feminine also having a ribbon for bookmarking.

Filled with a year full of daily devotionals to calm and comfort. They are absolutely beautiful, with scripture, inspirations, and a prayer for each day. No I haven't read the complete book yet but have read a few of the devotionals and I love the peaceful filling they leave me with.

Today's could have actually been written for me personally.
The Title is - The Dark Before Daylight
directly underneath is scripture from Psalm 30:5
Then an inspirational that talks about being exhausted, and the situation seeming as dark as the night sky. Goes on to tell you to put your trust in God and rest while he handles the situation.
This is followed by another Bible verse - Psalm 30:11-12
There is also a prayer to the left of the page that reads...
"God, please calm my fears and give me rest. I want to trust you, Lord. Please release me from these worries so I can praise your matchless name. Amen"

This has a special meaning for me, after the very recent passing of a family member. Watching more family members that are suffering with cancer as they fight this battle with that terrible disease. I feel so helpless because there is nothing I can do to make it better for them. But this is a much needed reminder to give these problems to the One (God) who can help.


I love this little book of devotionals and look forward to reading each and every days entry. I  highly recommend this book. This would make a great gift for the ladies in your life. The design of the book gives you a peaceful feeling as well as the daily devotionals giving you that peace and comfort.


I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.    

Pain As A Starting Point by Kerry Kerr McAvoy - my review

Just at a time in my life that I needed this, I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) of Pain As A Starting Point by Kerry Kerr McAvoy.

Living with chronic pain on a daily basis and having so much emotional pain in my life, I feel almost like an expert on pain, both physical and emotional. The best physician I have found is GOD!

The author uses scripture to show the answers to some of life's tough questions. Such as, Where is God while I'm suffering? How do I trust in God through my difficult trials of life? She has done a fabulous job showing where God is through all of our struggles and how to find him. With daily devotionals. Questions to make you think. Optional reading of Bible verses to go along with each section. A daily discipline exercise and prayer end each section. Also some great play list for some (new for me) awesome music.

There are so many of the painful heartbreaking burdens that life gives us that I have either experienced personally or have watched family members go through. Through it all, as the book will show, God is there for us if we will turn to him and have faith.

One of my favorite quotes from this book is...
"In that moment, pain becomes a starting point and provides us an opportunity to see our desperate state and our need for God."

I highly recommend this book to everyone, for everyone I know suffers from some kind of pain. This is a book that I will be re-reading from time to time.
I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the chance to read and review this book.