Of God, Rattlesnakes, and Okra by J. Bennett Easterling - my review

I laughed and cried my way through Of God, Rattlesnakes, and Okra by  J. Bennett Easterling. The youngest son of a southern preacher tells about growing up as part of a poor family in the tiny community of Prospect, Mississippi. I enjoyed reading of his memories of a different time, when people (children included) worked hard and were were ready for bed at night. No one had time to say they were bored, there was to much that needed to be done. If children today could spend a week or even a day in that life, they might not be so quick to become bored because they couldn't find anything to do. I laughed as I read about Grannies sweet love and dobbers, yes that is how it was done before Gerber created baby food, I just never knew there was a name for it.

I highly recommend this book, about a time that has since passed but we can learn a lot from.

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

Elvis Sightings by Ricardo Sanchez - my review

Elvis Sightings (An Elvis Sightings Mystery)  by Ricardo Sanchez is about a private investigator named Floyd, who is a Lifestyle Elvis, not an Elvis impersonator. Yes he dresses in sequined jumpsuits like Elvis wore and is often mistaken for an impersonator, but is quick to let you know the difference. He has spent a great amount of time in the past searching for Elvis, as a close friend is a big Elvis fan also who doesn't believe that Elvis is dead. After another tip that Elvis may be alive and living under an assumed name in Kresge, Wyoming, he is off on the hunt again. What he finds there, is a sidekick who wants to help him with the search, and who has a very strange story to tell himself. Leaving Floyd wondering what kind of place is this town, especially after meeting some of the occupants. The author has created a great group of characters who live in Kresge. One of my favorites is Goliath, a small person, who runs the bar. As you visit Kresge with Floyd, you will also be wandering what are the secrets this town is trying to hide, and what kind of place is this. There is a lot of Elvis trivia throughout the book for Elvis fans, you might learn something about Elvis that you didn't know.

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

Look for this book on September 29,  2014

Heaven Touching Earth by James Stuart Bell - my review

I just finished reading Heaven Touching Earth by James Stuart Bell, I absolutely LOVED it!  It is filled with true stories of miracles. Basically each chapter is a testimony by a different person who has experienced a miracle, angels helping out, or some type of Heavenly encounter that can not otherwise be explained. A car that drives itself, an Angel that prevents a wreck, and pulls another out of a wreck, prays for a married couple who are having problems. A woman who was expected to die from uterine cancer but goes on to have three more children! These are just some of the stories that you will read about. Forty-three different accounts of miracles, Angels,and/or Heavenly encounters!   I tremendously enjoy hearing or reading testimonies of God still working miracles today. Some people may find it hard to believe all the different stories that the author and others have shared, but I know that such things do still happen.  

I have had experiences of my own with miracles or things that others would have a hard time believing. So yes I am believer! Jesus is still performing miracles today and God is sending his Angels to help out where needed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to hear (read) testimonies of miracles and Angels. Or anyone who is curious about these things. Would also make a great gift.

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.

Look for this book on September 16, 2014

Beyond the Rapture by Jennette Green - my review

Beyond the Rapture by Jennette Green was a very thought provoking book which I enjoyed tremendously. It starts out in the future with Isola scared and trying to find a place to hide. As she tries to find what is left of Kay's house to see if she can find the answers to what is going on. Kay had known the truth all along, before she disappeared with all of the others, her life had proven it. She finds her diary and bible.

The story goes back and forth between now (in the reading of the diary) and the future (beyond the rapture). The author uses a lot of bible scripture in this book which is about the end times. It is not a preachy type book but does relay a great story of love, gangs, persecution, etc. I couldn't put this down as I anxiously turned the pages to see what each day would bring.

I highly recommend this book.

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

 

Huckleberry Christmas by Jennifer Beckstrand - my review

Huckleberry Christmas by Jennifer Beckstrand

What a joyful book, as Mammi Anna sets in for her latest matchmaking schemes. Beth a widow, who was married to an emotionally abusive man, is now determined to make a life for herself and her little redheaded cutie son Toby on her own. She doesn't want to take a chance on love again.  Tyler is in love with her, he makes bacon pancakes for her and purposes, but she turns him down but offers to help him find a good wife. I laughed my way through this book as Beth learns to trust God and to love again. Mammi Anna and Dawdi Felty are grandparents that everyone would love to have. I could almost hear Felty singing as I turned the pages of this book and had the feeling that I was also there on Huckleberry Hill.

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

Look for this on October 7 2014

The River by Beverly Lewis - my review

I am a huge fan of Beverly Lewis and her Amish books. Was very excited to get an ARC of The River by Beverly Lewis. Two sisters Tilly and Ruth have left their Amish roots behind to live fancy as their Amish family calls it. They have also left bad memories behind as well. Then they recieve a call from their brother inviting them to come home for their parents anniversary celebration and they decide to go. Tilly leaves her twin daughters with her English husband while she takes this trip with her sister, not sure how her family will react to them or her English husband - none of which they have yet met.   There seems to be a lot of unresolved issues for both sisters as they go home and the past meets the present.  Secrets have been kept hidden over the years can they be forgiven?  One of my favorite bible verses that is quoted in this book has to do with forgiveness.

 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 KJV

I read this in one day , as I found it to be a page-turner that I couldn't lay down. I highly recommend this book if you like reading a feel-good book.

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

Look for this book on September 2, 2014

Elvis Presley: A Southern Life by Joel Williamson - my review

 Elvis Presley: A Southern Life by Joel Williamson covers it all. His early life in Tupelo, moving to Memphis, the school days when he was made fun of or ignored by many. The day he walked in to Sun Studio to create a record for his Moma and was discovered. It covers all the time in between the birth and death of Elvis. Elvis had a beautiful voice and moves that many came to see and hear. It got so bad that he could not leave home without being surrounded by bodyguards. I can't imagine not being able to go to the movies or a grocery store without being swamped by people.  Even though many envied his life, it had to have been a hard life. He is still famous today all these years later. Graceland and Memphis see several fans/visitors daily. This was very interesting reading. The author has put a lot of research into this book, all listed at the end of the book. I recommend it to Elvis fans, would make a nice addition to your collections and to anyone wanting to learn more about the man, Elvis Presley.


I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) of this book from Net Gallery in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.