"When Love Arrives"

Book Description from the publisher:


Dani had planned to spy on Brett--so how did she end up on a date with him?

Dani Prescott can't believe the lie Brett Somers is trying to sell to the media. During an interview about the plane crash that killed his parents, he blamed Dani's mother. But the crash killed her as well. Vowing to restore her mother's reputation, Dani has been following Brett and taking photos, hoping to find something she can use to discredit him. But when she catches his eye instead, she quickly finds herself agreeing to a date. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something--but he's got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is?


My Review:
Johnnie Alexander has become one of my must-read authors!  I loved book #1 in this series and I loved "When Loves Arrives" just as much or more!  Dani is set on getting revenge, but didn't count on her heart becoming involved in other ways as well.  Brett is struggling to get over past hurt and is trying to make changes in his life.  Both Dani and Brett are keeping secrets and they might be too big for them to overcome or not.  This book is impossible to put down once you start reading!  The characters are so real and the story is full of romance, heart, and heartache making it a rollercoaster read that keeps you turning page after page.  The storyline flows so nicely and I cannot wait to read what Johnnie writes next!


*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blog Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

"Mattie's Pledge"

"Mattie's Pledge" is the 2nd book in Jan Drexler's Journey to Pleasant Prairie series.  Jan takes us back in time to the mid 1800's and an Amish community.  Mattie Schrock is a restless soul and isn't sure if she wants to stay with her family in their new Amish settlement as there is land and adventure awaiting further West.  However, she reconnects with Jacob and he is ready to settle down.  What is Mattie going to decide to do, follow her adventurous side and travel with an Englisher or follow through with her pledge and stay with Jacob?

Jan has done a great job with recreating this time period and the trials and hardships that came along with moving and settling in the unknown and undeveloped land.  However, she also addresses issues that are relatable today as we are forced to make choices as far as moving, making changes in our lives and choosing in the matters of the heart.  I love the line on the back of the book: "When she feels the pull of both home and the horizon, which will she choose?"  This drew me to picking up the book and once I began reading I was hooked.  I highly recommend reading book #1, "Hannah's Choice," first!

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

"This Road We Traveled"

Book Description from the publisher:  Tabitha Brown refuses to be left behind in Missouri when her son makes the decision to strike out for Oregon--even if she has to hire her own wagon to join the party. After all, family ties are stronger than fear. Along with her reluctant daughter and her ever-hopeful granddaughter, the intrepid Tabitha has her misgivings. The trials they face along the way will severely test her faith, courage, and ability to hope. With her family's survival on the line, she must make the ultimate sacrifice, plunging deeper into the wilderness to seek aid. What she couldn't know was how this frightening journey would impact how she understood her own life--and the greater part she had to play in history. With her signature attention to detail and epic style, New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick invites you to travel the deadly and enticing Oregon Trail. Based on actual events, This Road We Traveled inspires the pioneer in all of us. My Review: I really enjoyed this book!  Jane Kirkpatrick does an incredible job with bringing this historical time period and significant journey to life.  Tabitha makes such a great main character as she is such a strong woman, yet that does not mean that she is fearless and without her misgivings.  Tabitha has her moments of questioning God and at times struggles with the fact that God can be leading her on this journey with so many trials and hardships, which is not unlike any of us today as we all have our moments of questioning God's plan especially in the midst of pain and suffering.  This is a great read of anyone who enjoys history and having it brought to life in such vivid descriptions and characters whom can be empathized with.  *Thanks to the Revell Reads Blog Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

"All is Bright"

"All is Bright" is a great resource for the whole family leading up to and celebrating the Christmas season!  Beginning December 1st and going through December 31st there is a devotional page and a coordinating black and white coloring page for each day.  Some of the coloring pages are very intricate designs while others have room to write in amongst the drawing.  The second part of the book is filled with activities geared for the entire family to help instill the Biblical truths and values that are usually highlighted during this time of year.  There are also coloring pages more suited toward children with bigger designs with less intricate details. 
I am so excited to begin using this with my children beginning December 1st and create this new tradition with them to celebrate the Christmas season and the birth of Jesus..


To learn more about this coloring devotional book, go here!


Also, there are some incredible resources available that I highly recommend you check out!:

·         Tyndale’s Inspire Creativity board on Pinterest has downloadable samplers and sharable coloring pages from our coloring and Bible journaling line, the Living Expressions Collection!

 

·         Check out www.livingexpressionscollection.com for the latest news and information on our coloring and journaling products.

**Thanks to the Tyndale Blog Network for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

"The Raven"

Mike Nappa brings back Private Investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill in his second Coffey & Hill novel, "The Raven" and if you thought book #1, "Annabel Lee," was difficult to put down then you are going to love "The Raven!"  I love how Mike begins this novel with a few pages in the "now" and then he takes you back to 4 weeks earlier.  My interest was piqued on the very first page and then I was left hanging and then taken back to weeks earlier to hear about the story from the beginning and bits and pieces were shared completely drawing me into the suspense and drama. 

Samuel and Trudi have a tumultuous relationship, and yet they make such great partners and have each other's backs (I would seriously want both of them on my side in any kind of issue!).  I highly recommend you read book #1 if you haven't as you will get the background on this couple and their saga continues in this book.  The Raven is another fascinating characters and my heart aches for him, a kid living this life.  I completely enjoyed the suspense, the twist and turns, the characters and the vivid descriptions that are all woven together to make such a fascinating read. 

I highly recommend this book for fans of suspense!

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

"The Christmas Angel Project"

"The Christmas Angel Project" is this year's Christmas novella from Melody Carlson and it is another excellent book just like her previous ones!  Four women, with their own lives and struggles and joys, all share something, they are a part of a book club, however their leader just passed away.  Thinking this is the end of their group they are surprised when they each receive a heartfelt and personal gift.  This gift is so much more than a gift as it leads them to becoming Christmas Angels for others.

This is such a beautiful and heartwarming story, I could not put it down once I started reading and this is a story that will stay with me for such a long time I'm sure.  Melody has created such wonderful characters, and a story with an inspiring message that is sure to touch all readers' hearts.


I highly recommend this book to everyone to jump off the upcoming Christmas season.  This will put everyone in the Christmas spirit and encourage everyone to really live out the true meaning of the season. 


*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Learn how to live a fruitful life in Christ-with a fairy tale and ten Bible verses!

Book info

About the book: Jesus and the Beanstalk: Overcoming Your Giants and Living a Fruitful Life (Abingdon Press, September 2016) What if a fairy tale and ten Bible verses could free you to live an effective, fruitful life in Christ? We live in unsettling, challenging times. Everywhere we look, we see giant problems: giant obstacles to sharing faith, giant barriers to peaceful lives, giant strongholds of fear. But what if you knew eight small secrets to unlocking a strength big enough to overcome whatever obstacle life may bring? Using allegory and a bit of humor, Jesus and the Beanstalk explores a passage in 2 Peter 1 to uncover eight truths that will help you unleash a larger-than-life faith: -Faith -Goodness -Knowledge -Self-control -Perseverance -Godliness -Affection for others -Love In this creative, refreshing perspective on spiritual growth, you will discover an unyielding strength when you tap the power of a God who is stronger than any beanstalk and bigger than your biggest giants. Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2dcnopJ   About the author: Lori Stanley Roeleveld is the author of Running from a Crazy Man (and other adventures traveling with Jesus) and Red Pen Redemption. Her blog, LoriRoeleveld.com, was voted Top 100 Christian Blogs by RedeemingGod.com and has enjoyed over 1.5 million views. Lori lives in Hope Valley, RI. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+ My Review: This was just a great read!  I honestly was not sure what to think about this book when I first heard the title, "Jesus and the Beanstalk."  However, once I received the book and began reading, I was completely hooked and found the book to be incredible!  Lori discusses and draws parallels from a well-known fairytale, Jack and the Beanstalk, to our own lives and ties it in with Biblical truths from the book of 2 Peter.  Each of us has giants in our lives, giants of different kinds, but giants just the same that need to be confronted and defeated.  There are 8 truths or characteristics that can help each of us with defeating these giants in our lives.  Each of these truths is discussed in depth as far as the Biblical aspect and how God gives these to us, but also how the Jack and the Beanstalk story can be tied in with it helping to further get the point across.  I have to say I see that story in a whole new way now! My favorite features of this book is how the chapters are ended with a "small steps toward slaying giants" section and also a "one stone for your sling" inspiring quote. To read other reviews included on this blog tour, go here! *Thanks to the Litfuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*