Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young



This is a new cover for a best-selling book by Sarah Young. 

Jesus Calling is a 365 daily devotional written as if Jesus Himself is writing to you.  Each day there are the words written to you and scripture to go along with them.  This is a beautiful way to remember that the words of the Bible aren't just words for some day long ago but are fresh and for you and I today. 

The new soft hard cover is beautiful.  The larger print makes it more accessible to many readers.  No matter your age this can be a book that can bring an additional comfort to ones devotional time.

I received this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Driftwood Bay by Irene Hannon



From the publisher:
After tragedy robs her of everyone she loves, Jeannette Mason retreats to the tiny Oregon seaside town of Hope Harbor to create a new life. Vowing to avoid emotional attachments, she focuses on running her lavender farm and tea-room--until a new neighbor with a destructive dog and a forlorn little girl invades her turf. But she needn't worry. Dr. Logan West is too busy coping with an unexpected family, a radical lifestyle change, and an unruly pup to have any interest in his aloof and disagreeable neighbor.

Yet when both Jeanette and Logan find themselves pulled into the life of a tattered Christian family fleeing persecution in war-torn Syria, might they discover that love sometimes comes calling when it's least expected?
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Irene Hannon brings readers back to the beloved town of Hope Harbor.  This book will draw you to a town you may or may not have read about.  However, you don't need to read the other books to read this one.  Jeannette Mason is going to draw you in as she deals with her own pain and grief.  Logan's character is one that you will find yourself relating to as he enters a family situation and hilarious neighbor.  Beyond just these two characters you will find that this sweet story digs deeper into the hard things that are even now consuming our world.  The refugees and their story will challenge the way you think and feel.  

The beautiful town and natural characters will draw you in and leave you happy to have read this book.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Monday, April 15, 2019

The Edge of Over There by Shawn Smucker



From the publisher:

Before the Tree of Life, everything in Abra Miller's life had been predictable. But after the Tree and the lightning and the angels, everything felt tenuous, like holding a soap bubble in the palm of her hand. She spent years looking for signs of that other world, waiting for it to break through. When it didn't, her friendship with Sam Chambers grew cold and distant, and they both wondered how any of it could actually have happened.

Four years later, 16-year-old Abra's long-delayed quest to find the next manifestation of the Tree of Life is renewed when she sees a woman walking up the road--a woman who looks exactly like Sam's dead mother. The woman directs her to New Orleans where she will find the grave of Marie Laveau, one of seven gateways between this world and Over There. As Abra enters The Edge of Over There and begins her pursuit of the Tree once more, she doesn't know whom to fear or whom to trust. But she's starting to think that some doorways should never be opened.

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This book had an interesting premise and I was excited to read it.  However, as the story progressed it felt like the book was taking  a lot of liberties. This is supposedly Biblical fiction but it felt like far from that.  If you like science-fiction and don't try to associate as a Christian novel then perhaps you can enjoy it.  That being said, I haven't read the first book.  The writer is talented, but I wish that this had not been written as Christian fiction.  Instead just do the book as fiction.

I received this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own. 

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Made for This by Jennie Allen



If you have heard or read Jennie Allen before you will enjoy this book.  And if you never have read her before this is a great place to start!  This is a blend of two of her best loved books Anything and Restless.  But don't worry that this is just a copy and paste type of book.  Instead you will find new format and layout and fresh stories of how this has worked and impacted others. 

This is a beautiful journal-like edition with workbook graphics to help bring it all together.  This book will help you go surrender to God and ask Him what your purpose is.  This is a great book for yourself or to give as a gift. 

I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Justice Delivered by Patricia Bradley



From the publisher:

Carly Smith came by her trust issues honestly. A victim of sex trafficking, she's been at the mercy of merciless men, ignored by law enforcement officers who should have helped her, and seemingly rejected by her family. She can't even trust herself to do the right thing. Though she escaped her captors and is working hard on building a new life, the past continues to haunt her when she discovers that the man she couldn't bring herself to report to police for fear of reliving her captivity is still out there, luring vulnerable girls under the guise of being a modeling agent.

When her own niece is kidnapped, Carly must overcome her fears and come forward with the information she has before it's too late. When that proves to be not enough, she'll have to go after the perpetrators herself.

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This is the fourth book in the Memphis Cold Case series.  However, it can be read alone. Which is good, since I haven't read any of the other books.

This is a book that will keep you turning the pages.  A warning that there is violence and some hard topics to read.  However, as the book deals with human trafficking the characters and situations focus on redemption, rebuilding trust, and forgiveness.  I really enjoyed the way the book dealt with needing justice but also needing to rebuild lives.  I think many readers will be drawn into Carly's story and be inspired to do something in their own lives to help others in situations like those in the book.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.