"god is able" by priscilla shirer

About the book (from the publisher): Got an IMPOSSIBLE situation? The anxiety it brings can wake you in the middle of a needed night’s sleep and then stalk you in the middle of broad daylight. It can sneak up on you and cast a cloak of fear and concern over your shoulders that you can’t seem to shake no matter how hard you try. It can take you down. Squash all hope. Stop you in your tracks.

IMPOSSIBLE. IMPENETRABLE. UNCHANGEABLE. Maybe so . . . until God gets involved. No matter the details of your circumstance, His raw power potential and immeasurable ability refuse to cower in the face of any challenge. Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing. Not even that thing. This is the uplifting, well-reasoned answer from New York Times best-selling author Priscilla Shirer—not a denial of life’s adversities and troubles, but a biblical reminder that God is always up to great things, even when His great things are greater then instant remedies and visible change. He is a God who cares . . . and a God who CAN. Believe it. Experience it. God Is Able.

My take: I don't often read non-fiction, and when I do, I want it to be something that will keep my attention and provide me with information that I can apply to my life. God Is Able is one such book. Focusing on Ephesians 3:20-21, author Priscilla Shirer takes apart the verses phrase by phrase to show the power of God to do anything.

As I started reading the book, I doubted how much I'd get out of it. After all, I have complete confidence in God's ability to do anything. What I tend to doubt is that He will choose to do what He what He is able to do—that He won't answer prayers in the way I want Him to. Just typing those words makes me feel horribly self-centered and arrogant—like I know better than God. But I'm being honest here ...

In the book, Shirer addresses my doubts head-on. Seriously, it was like she was in my head and knew exactly what I was thinking. On page 62, she says, "You believe in His ability—His power—yet you question His willingness." She goes on to explain what I know in my head but often don't realize in my heart: that I, in my self-centered bubble, have absolutely no idea the ways God has, is, and will continue to orchestrate circumstances in my life. And when He does not do something I long for Him to do, I should continue to trust Him and thank Him for what He will do. He is working everything together for good (Romans 8:28), whether or not I understand it on this side of Heaven.

And that's really just the tip of the iceberg. God Is Able is packed with biblical truth, and its written in such a way that you feel like you're right there with Shirer, having a discussion over a cup of coffee. This book reminded me of truth about God that I needed to hear right now ... and I suspect it's a message that you need to hear, too.

My rating: 5 stars

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About the author: Priscilla Shirer is a Bible teacher and conference speaker with a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. Also a popular author, her books include the New York Times best seller The Resolution for Women, One in a Million, and Life Interrupted. Priscilla is married to Jerry with whom she founded Going Beyond Ministries. They have three sons and live in Dallas, Texas.

Learn more about Priscilla at her website.

About the giveaway: The publisher sent me an extra copy of God Is Able to give away to one of my readers. Enter through the Rafflecopter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review through Icon Media Group.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"run for the roses" by rachel schieffelbein

About the book (from Goodreads): Abigail Conrad has spent her whole life training for one goal: to win the roses at the Arabian Youth Nationals. She’s given up friends, a social life, and doesn’t have time to even think about guys—much less date!

Now that she’s headed off to college in the fall, it’s her last chance to be a Youth National Champion, and she won’t let anything distract her from that dream. Except maybe Chase, the older brother of Abigail's biggest rival. He’s charming, funny, and possibly Abigail's biggest problem. How can she focus on riding when her mind keeps wandering to Chase’s green eyes and confident smile?

With her dream on the line, Abigail had better learn to fight her growing attraction to Chase, or she might end up losing the roses and the guy.

My take: Run for the Roses is a sweet, romantic novella. It can be read in about an hour. Though it's short, the characters are well developed, and the plot is enjoyable. The one thing that keeps me from heartily recommending it is the language. The main character swears quite frequently, and while I know this won't be an issue for much of the target audience, I found the profanity to be needless and distracting.

My rating: 3 stars

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About the author: Rachel grew up in a tiny town in Minnesota. She still lives there, with her husband and their four kids. She coaches high school speech and theater, rides Arabian horses, reads as much as she can, and writes stories.

Connect with Rachel on her website, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook.

About the giveaway: 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free via YA Bound Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

my cats love christmas...

...Surely that's why they're climbing the tree, right? They just want to get in the Christmas spirit?

Hammond climbed the tree so quietly that I didn't know he was there until I walked by and saw this face looking out at me. He has a bell on his collar—how was he able to turn himself into stealth cat?

And then it's monkey-see, monkey-do. If Hammond can climb the tree, then Skaara can, too!

This is precisely why the ornaments will most likely stay in boxes this year.

"stones for bread" by christa parrish

About the book (from Litfuse): A solitary artisan. A legacy of bread-baking. And one secret that could collapse her entire identity.

Liesl McNamara's life can be described in one word: bread. From her earliest memory, her mother and grandmother passed down the mystery of baking and the importance of this deceptively simple food. And now, as the owner of Wild Rise bake house, Liesl spends every day up to her elbows in dough, nourishing and perfecting her craft.

But the simple life she has cultivated is becoming quite complicated. Her head baker brings his troubled grandson into the bakeshop as an apprentice. Her waitress submits her recipes to a popular cable cooking show. And the man who delivers her flour—a single father with strange culinary
habits—seems determined to win Liesl's affection.

When Wild Rise is featured on television, her quiet existence appears a thing of the past. And then a phone call from a woman claiming to be her half-sister forces Liesl to confront long-hidden secrets in her family's past. With her precious heritage crumbling around her, the baker must make a choice: allow herself to be buried in detachment and remorse, or take a leap of faith into a new life.

My take: Stones for Bread is, simply put, beautiful. It has a very literary feel to it, and that makes the reading a bit slower, but it's so, so good. Written in first person, it tells the story of Liesl's present and past (the latter is revealed in non-linear fashion), as well as the history of bread. Several recipes are interspersed throughout the novel, and I'd love to try them out ... if I ever feel particularly ambitious!

The characters in Stones for Bread struck me as people I could really meet. Liesl is not a perfect character—far from it—but she grows tremendously throughout the novel while still maintaining some of her imperfections. She's realistic. I especially loved her relationships with Seamus (slightly romantic) and Jude (almost motherly).

In the end, Parrish doesn't wrap everything up in a neat little bow. Yes, we are left with the impression that Liesl's life will be good, but some things are left to the imagination. And that's the perfect way to end.

My rating: 5 stars

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About the author: Christa Parrish is the award-winning author of three novels, including the 2009 ECPA Fiction Book of the Year Watch Over Me. When she's not writing, she's a homeschool mother of three wonderful children. Married to author and pastor Chris Coppernoll, Christa serves with him as co-leader of their church's youth ministry as well as serving as a facilitator for a divorce recovery ministry. She is now also slightly obsessed with the art of baking bread. Learn more about Christa at http://christaparrish.com.

About the giveaway: Christa Parrish is celebrating her fourth novel, Stones for Bread, with a KitchenAid Mixer giveaway.

Easy steps to enter:

1. Follow Christa Parrish and TNZ Fiction on Pinterest.

2. Then Pin the Stones for Bread book cover (below), the contest graphic (above), or both, and link to this post (using this URL: #StonesforBread KitchenAid Mixer Contest #ChristaParrish http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/stones-for-bread-by-christa-parrish).

3. Then fill out THIS SHORT FORM to let us know. (There are also some additional ways to earn extra entries, as well as an option for non-Pinterest users. It's true—people like that do exist!)

Questions? Email info @ litfusegroup dot com.

Winner will be announced on 12/9 on Christa's Facebook Page.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"dear mr. knightley" by katherine reay

About the book (from Litfuse): Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others—namely her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story—by giving that story to a complete stranger.

Growing up orphaned and alone, Sam found her best friends in the works of Austen, Dickens, and the Brontë sisters. The problem is that she now relates to others more comfortably as Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre than as herself.

Sometimes we lose ourselves in the things we care about most.

But life for this twenty-three-year-old is about to get stranger than fiction, when an anonymous benefactor (calling himself "Mr. Knightley") offers to put Sam through the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

As Sam's program and peers force her to confront her past, she finds safety in her increasingly personal letters to Mr. Knightley. And when Sam meets eligible, best-selling novelist Alex Powell, those letters unfold a story of love and literature that feels as if it's pulled from her favorite books. But when secrets come to light, Sam is—once again—made painfully aware of how easily trust can be broken.

Reay's debut novel follows one young woman's journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

My take: Warning: I'm about to gush over this book. Is it too soon to name it my favorite read of 2013? Yes? Well just wait, then; I predict that on December 31, nothing will have usurped Dear Mr. Knightley's place on the top of my Best Books of 2013 list.

Dear Mr. Knightley is so familiar, yet so unique. It's familiar in that it frequently references Jane Austen, Shakespeare, and Jane Eyre (and even re-imagines certain plot points), and it also evokes more recent works like the film You've Got Mail. Yet it is unique in both plot and delivery—it's an epistolary novel, which means it is written through letters. (Yes, other epistolary novels do exist—notably Lewis's Screwtape Letters—but this is not a common form of writing today.)

After reading the back cover, I guessed the identity of Mr. Knightley (and I suspect you will, too), but that didn't matter one bit; the fact that Mr. Knightley ended up being exactly who I guessed only made the whole reading experience that much sweeter.

Honestly, I picked up Dear Mr. Knightley expecting a simple romance, but this book turned out to be so much more—throughout the course of the novel, Sam found her voice, her place in the world. And, yes, she found love—in many forms. One of the most touching aspects of the novel was not the romance (though it was sweet) but the love Sam found in family.

Dear Mr. Knightley is a novel that will grab you at the first page and not let go until you've finished the last. Run to your nearest bookstore (or, more realistically, click on over to the website of your favorite bookseller) and get your hands on a copy of this book. You won't regret it!

My rating: 5 stars

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About the author: Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries. After earning degrees in history and marketing from Northwestern University, she worked as a marketer for Proctor & Gamble and Sears before returning to school to earn her MTS. Her works have been published in Focus on the Family and the Upper Room. Katherine currently lives with her husband and three children in Seattle. Dear Mr. Knightley is her first novel.

Learn more about Katherine at http://katherinereay.com/.

About the giveaway: Debut author Katherine Reay is celebrating the release of her delightful novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway, a fun Favorite Austen Moments Pinterest contest, and an Austen-themed Facebook Party.

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
• Handmade Austen-themed items (scarf, mug, bracelet, and necklace) 

Two ways to win! Enter today by clicking one of the icons below or participating in the Pinterest contest (see banner below)—or BOTH! 

But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Dear Mr. Knightley" Austen-themed Facebook Author Chat Party on the 3rd. Join Katherine (and Austen fans) for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Katherine's next book.

So grab your copy of  Dear Mr. Knightley and join Katherine on the evening of December 3rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST. Hope to see you on the 3rd!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"aloha rose" by lisa carter

About the book (from Litfuse): When Laney Carrigan's adoptive father encourages her as an adult to seek out her birth family, her only clue is the Lokelani quilt in which she was found wrapped as an infant. Centering her search on the Big Island, she battles fears of rejection from a family that abandoned her once before while her faith struggles to embrace God's love.

Along the path to her true heritage, she meets Hawaiian cowboy/helicopter pilot, Kai Barnes. Kai is determined to protect the people he's come to regard as family against a woman he suspects of being nothing more than a gold-digger, but he finds himself drawn to Laney in spite of his reservations. He's spent his entire life seeking forgiveness from past mistakes and longs for a second chance at happiness.

Laney's painstaking journey to find restoration and a place to belong among the breathtaking allure of the Big Island will lead her closer to her past and maybe even something more.

My take: This is the type of review I hate writing. Aloha Rose is a decent book, but its flaws kept me from really enjoying it. I recently reviewed author Lisa Carter's Carolina Reckoning, and I really enjoyed that book—especially the romance aspect. In Aloha Rose, the romance is precisely the part I didn't enjoy. Laney and Kai's romance moved way too quickly for me to find believable ... or I guess I should say the physical aspect moved faster than it should have. The actual romance was very hot and cold, and the constant back and forth was tiresome.

The other parts of the story—the parts involving Laney's birth family—were much more enjoyable. Laney's journey to connect with her birth family was heartwarming, and I especially enjoyed learning about Laney's mother, Rose. I knew from Carolina Reckoning that Lisa Carter could write a good twist, and Aloha Rose contains a few. The novel definitely didn't end as I expected it to (aside from the romance—that was pretty predictable), and I especially enjoyed the last quarter of the book.

While Aloha Rose wasn't the book for me, I predict that many romance lovers will enjoy it.

My rating: 2.5 stars

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Read my review of Carter's Carolina Reckoning.

About the author: Lisa Carter has been published in MomSense and Christian Parenting Today. Lisa is currently teaching music at a preschool and enjoying the enthusiasm and joy for life for which preschoolers are famous. She and David have two beautiful daughters.

About the giveaway: In honor of their new Quilts of Love releases, The Christmas Quilt and Aloha Rose, authors Vannetta Chapman and Lisa Carter are gearing up to ring in the Christmas season with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th with fellow Quilts of Love author Lynette Sowell!

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman
• Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 30th. Winner will be announced at the "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th. Connect with the authors from the Quilts of Love series, Vannetta Chapman, Lisa Carter, and Lynette Sowell, for an evening of book chat, quilt trivia, Christmas traditions and gifts, PLUS get an exclusive look at January's Quilts of Love book!

So grab your copies of The Christmas Quilt and Aloha Rose and join Vannetta, Lisa, and Lynette on the evening of December 10th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on December 10th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

mid-november holiday thoughts

I used to be one of those people who couldn't stand hearing Christmas music before Black Friday. I was of the opinion (as I'm sure some of you are) that Christmas music should be reserved for the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I even blogged about it way back in 2007.

All that changed this year. In the week leading up to Halloween I was dying to listen to Christmas music ... so on November 1 I pulled out my Christmas music. Or at least I tried to. I know exactly where all of my Christmas cds were in my old house. But here? I can't find them anywhere! Fortunately, I'd copied all of my favorite albums into my iTunes, so I have them digitally...but I'd still really like to find my cds!

So here's why I think I was so anxious for Christmas music: The Hallmark Channel. The Hallmark Channel has always been my favorite destination for Christmas movies, but when I was cableless, I had to content myself with whatever Hallmark movies I could find to stream online or to buy (cheaply) on DVD. If you've been reading my blog recently, you know I now have cable and a DVR. (Yippee!!!) And this year, Hallmark decided that the Christmas season began on November 1. I'm not sure if they've done this in past years, but this year, they're running Christmas movies nearly 24/7. And they promoted this "Countdown to Christmas" all through October, so by the time November rolled around, I was more than ready to watch Christmas movies and listen to Christmas music!

Hallmark is premiering 12 new holiday movies this season, and I've watched all of them so far. (I say "holiday" movies because The Thanksgiving House is, obviously, about Thanksgiving. It stars Nebraska boy Justin Bruening and is a decent, if not enthralling, flick.) My favorite by far is the one I thought looked the cheesiest: Snow Bride. The title alone is ridiculous. But it's so much fun! Here's the promo video:


Is it the world's greatest film? Of course not! But it's certainly a lot of fun to watch ... and it doesn't hurt that Jordan Belfi is so attractive. (OK, it's probably the character "Ben" that I'm attracted to ...) If you missed it when it aired, you'll have ample opportunity to watch it before Christmas. Its next airing is next Thursday at 10/9 central, and I'm sure it will air multiple times after that.

While I've been enjoying listening to Christmas music at the office and watching Christmas movies at night, I must admit that I'm getting a little Christmased out. I even deleted several movies from my DVR without watching them. Perhaps once I get my decorations up, I'll feel more Christmasy ... but that's going to have to wait a while as I try to figure out how I can possibly have a Christmas tree with three crazy cats in the house!

Are you "doing" Christmas yet? Any advice for keeping my cats out of my Christmas tree?

"torn blood" by david j. bain

About the book: One man pursues a question left unanswered for four thousand years. His search takes him to the gates of Hell.
—Will it bring him back?

Three weeks before officially reporting for duty at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Addison Deverell arrives in Israel to unearth an enigma.

Bound to an escort by the embassy, and unable to begin his search, time is running out. With mere days before he must report for duty Addison is freed from his escort’s bondage. Racing to find answers that promise to establish a career—and facing danger from those he seeks to understand—he finds himself in a fight to the death for a nation’s life.

Nearly seven thousand miles away, Dr. Janelle Henning confronts a peril that threatens to destroy her deepest soul. A search for understanding thrusts her into a world long buried to confront a heritage abandoned by the passage of time.

Brought together by events, Janelle and Addison discover identities hidden from them both in a relationship they have shared for a lifetime.

My take: Now that I've finished reading Torn Blood, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, the book feels incredibly realistic, and the events surrounding Addison are quite intense and captivating. On the other hand, I felt that the first 100 or so pages were extraneous. A large number of characters are introduced in those pages, but not much happens. I really had to force myself to keep reading. (And I seriously considered making myself a cheat sheet to keep track of all of the characters!)

That said, once the action picked up, things moved along at a rapid pace (at times, perhaps a little too rapidly). I enjoyed learning how the multitude of characters were connected to one another, and, as I said before, I really liked Addison's story line.

I think it boils down to what style of book you enjoy reading—I prefer books that are tightly written without much description, but if you like politically charged thrillers that thoroughly detail events, then you should check out Torn Blood.

Content note: I do have to mention that there is mild swearing throughout the book. It's less than you would hear in an hour of primetime TV, but it is more than is usually present in Christian fiction.

My rating: 3 stars

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About the author: David J. Bain is the author of Torn Blood, an adventure novel which celebrates the triumph of the Jewish spirit, their love of Eretz Yisra’el, the land of Israel, and how close the world’s ties are to the Jewish people.

He is one of the founders of Bo Iti Press, a niche publisher focused on stories
about the Jewish experience as well as the rights of Israel as a sovereign nation.

After attending the University of Oregon and University of Nevada Las Vegas, Bain worked in the business world for more than 30 years before turning his hand to writing. It was his collaboration on two screenplays that were made into movies, End of the Harvest and Time Changer, which revived his interest in Israel. After finishing the screenplays, Bain began to notice patterns that surfaced in country after country over the millennia. Familiar with Israel’s history, politics, military, and the habit modern Israel had for coming out on top in any conflict with neighboring countries, he determined to understand why the Jewish race consistently seemed to land in the middle of world events. He worked with research assistants from the United States and Israel for seven years to understand the truth behind what the world learns about Israel.

His desire is that Torn Blood will help readers discover the reason Jewish people around the globe are committed to their tiny nation floating in a sea of enemies—and it’s not what one is often led to believe.

David lives with his wife, Doris, in Oregon.

More information on David can be found at www.tornblood.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for review from Side Door Communications.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"beloved" by robin lee hatcher

 About the book (from Litfuse): Diana is ready to begin a new chapter in her life-until the husband she believed dead reappears at her engagement party.

Diana Brennan came west on the orphan train and was given a home with a loving couple who cherished and spoiled her. At 17, she fell hard for Tyson Applegate, the son of a wealthy mine owner. After a whirlwind courtship and marriage, Tyson took off for adventures around the world, including fighting with the Rough Riders in Cuba. Receiving no word from him in years, Diana's infatuation with her dashing husband died an ugly death, and she is ready to move past the old pain and marry again, just as soon as Tyson is declared legally dead.

But when Tyson returns, claiming to be a changed man, he wants to reunite with his wife and run for the senate. While Diana suspects the election is his real reason for wanting her by his side, she agrees to maintain his home and to campaign with him, but when it is over, win or lose, she wants her freedom.

He agrees with one condition—she must give him a chance to change her mind about him.

My take: Marriage of convenience stories are my favorite, and while this one has a twist—Tyson and Diana have been married for seven years—it still fits the basic trope. It's definitely one of the better marriage of convenience stories I've recently read.

The novel begins when Tyson appears, after being presumed dead for two years, at Diana's engagement party. The couple's past is told through short flashbacks at the end of most chapters. This allows the reader to learn about the past without getting bogged down in it.

I love how this book isn't solely about Tyson winning Diana's love—it's also about finding forgiveness, self-worth, and family ... and by the end, Tyson and Diana do have quite the family!

I did find the book's villain (and it may be a stretch to really call him that) unnecessary. He didn't really keep Tyson and Diana apart, and I didn't fear him for an instant. He just kind of filled the pages and took away from the Tyson-Diana story.

Beloved is the first Robin Lee Hatcher book I've read (aside from a short novella in A Bride for All Seasons), but it certainly will not be my last. It's the third book in her Where the Heart Lives series, and I now want to go back and read the other two. (The novel functions as a stand alone, so you can read them in any order.)

My rating: 4-1/2 stars

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My giveaway: I received an extra copy of this book, so I'm giving it away! Enter through the Rafflecopter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author: Robin is the author of 65+ novels and novellas. Her home is in Idaho, where she spends her time writing stories of faith, courage, and love; pondering the things of God; and loving her family and friends. Learn more at http://www.robinleehatcher.com.

About the giveaway:
Robin Lee Hatcher is celebrating the release of her latest novel, Beloved, with an iPad Mini giveaway! 

 
  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 15th. Winner will be announced November 16th at Robin's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Robin's blog on the 16th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"nightmare city" by andrew klavan

About the book (from Goodreads): Tom Harding only wants the truth. But the truth is becoming more dangerous with every passing minute.

As a reporter for his high school newspaper, Tom Harding was tracking the best story of his life when, suddenly, his life turned very, very weird. He woke up one morning to find his house empty . . . his street empty . . . his whole town empty . . . empty except for an eerie, creeping fog and whatever creatures were slowly moving toward him through the fog.

Now Tom's once-ordinary world has become something out of a horror movie. How did it happen? Is it real? Is he dreaming? Has there been a zombie apocalypse? Has he died and gone to hell?

Tom is a good reporter. He knows how to look for answers, but no one has ever covered a story like this before. With the fog closing in and the hungry creatures of the fog surrounding him, he has only a few hours to find out how he lost the world he knew. In this bizarre universe, nothing is what it seems, and everything—including Tom's life—hangs in the balance.

My take: From beginning to end, Nightmare City had me captivated. I flew through the pages, eager, like Tom, to learn the truth. I loved the way the story unfolded, using flashbacks to fill in the gaps. And the suspense is palpable. While I didn't doubt the final outcome of the story, Klavan provided many tense moments leading up to the resolution!

Nightmare City is a thrill ride from start to finish, yet it also incorporates Biblical truth, making it a book I can wholeheartedly recommend to teens and other fans of YA fiction.

My rating: 5 stars

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Read my review of Klavan's Crazy Dangerous.

About the author: Andrew Klavan is a best-selling, award-winning thriller novelist whose books have been made into major motion pictures. He broke into the YA scene with the bestselling Homelanders series, starting with The Last Thing I Remember. He is also a screenwriter and scripted the innovative movie-in-an-app Haunting Melissa.

Author links:
Website
Goodreads
Twitter
Facebook

About the giveaway: 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from the publisher via YA Bound Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"our god comes" by antioch live (cd review)

About the album: Antioch Live Worship CD “Our God Comes” Debuts at #2 on iTunes

Waco, TX- Antioch Live, the worship band for Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas, has signed with the new record label Clear Day Worship. As the music arm of Clear Day Media Group based in Waco, Texas, Clear Day Worship and Antioch Live debuted the new album OUR GOD COMES at the World Mandate Conference September 20 and the CD hit #2 on iTunes.

“World Mandate 2013 was the perfect venue for launching this new CD. Everyday people were united by a passion for Jesus with a desire to worship God and change the world. That is what we are about,” states Clear Day Media Group president, David Seibert. “OUR GOD COMES is a passionate and thrilling worship release captured at Antioch Community Church in Waco, TX. We look forward to seeing how God uses this worship music to bless the Church.” continues Seibert.

Antioch is home to a worldwide church planting and worship movement, ministering to the needs of thousands internationally. Antioch Community Church currently has 30 church plants in the United States and another 40 in other parts of the world with more than 30,000 people involved with the movement. Antioch Live’s “Forever Sound” CD released last year was #3 on iTunes.

The worship music and lyrics on OUR GOD COMES expresses the heart cry, prayers and joy of the worship team, songwriters and musicians from Antioch, led by James Mark Gulley. From the opening strains of audience approval, joyous praise and worship floods the listeners’ ears and ageless unchanging truths find a new sound for today! The savvy musical arrangements and gifted song writing flow from “Come” to “Our God Comes”, and the glorious experience is documented from the choruses of “Wonderful Counselor”, “How Much More” and “Savior Forever”.

Clear Day Media Group creates products to help people see God clearly and impact the world through Christ-centered content.

The 72-minute, live recording was produced by James Mark Gulley and assistant Owen Wible, recorded by Randy Adams and mastered at Marcussen Mastering in Hollywood, CA by Stephen Marcussen. Featuring songwriters James Mark Gulley, Stephen Gulley, Brandon Seibert, Thomas Wilson and Johanna Six, OUR GOD COMES also features worship leaders James Mark Gulley, Stephen Gulley, Johanna Six and Clare Berlinsky.

The full track listing for OUR GOD COMES is as follows:
God And King
Wonderful Counselor
God Who Saves
How Much More
I Will Raise
…Response
Light Me Up
Awaken Us
One Hundred Three
…Return
Savior Forever
…Selah
Our God Comes

All songs are available with CCLI. More information on OUR GOD COMES can be found on iTunes and www.Cleardaymediagroup.com

My take: I love worship music, especially live worship music, so I jumped at the chance to review Our God Comes by Antioch Live. The album has a variety of songs, ranging from those that make you want to jump, clap your hands, and sing your heart out to others that lead you to close your eyes and raise your hands in worship. I love how many of the songs meld right into the next, which makes for a seamless listening experience.

My favorites are "I Will Raise," "...Response," and "Our God Comes" (the latter reminds me a bit of Kristian Stanfill's "Always"). I did have a little difficulty understanding the lyrics of a few of the songs, so I was glad that the liner notes included lyrics!

Our God Comes is a great album that points the listener to Christ. It would make a great addition to anyone's collection.

My rating: 4 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The B&B Media Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"to know you" by shannon ethridge & kathryn mackel

About the book (from Litfuse): Julia Whittaker's rocky past yielded two daughters, both given up for adoption as infants. Now she must find them to try to save her son.

Julia and Matt Whittaker's son has beaten the odds for thirteen years only to have the odds—and his liver—crash precipitously. The only hope for his survival is a "living liver" transplant, but the transplant list is long and Dillon's time is short. His two older half-sisters, born eighteen months apart to two different fathers, offer his only hope for survival.

But can Julia ask a young woman—someone she surrendered to strangers long ago and has never spoken with—to make such a sacrifice to save a brother she's never known? Can she muster the courage to journey back into a shame-filled season of her life, face her choices and their consequences, and find any hope of healing?

And what if she discovers in her own daughters' lives that a history of foolish choices threatens to repeat itself? Julia knows she's probably embarking on a fool's errand—searching for the daughters she abandoned only now that she needs something from them. But love compels Julia to take this journey. Can grace and forgiveness compel her daughters to join her?

In To Know You, Shannon Ethridge and Kathryn Mackel explore how the past creates the present . . . and how even the most shattered lives can be redeemed.

My take: To Know You is a completely gripping novel about choices, consequences, and incredible grace. It beautifully shows the weight of sin and the power of Christ to redeem.

Told from multiple perspectives, this novel really allowed me to get into the head of each main character and understand how her choices led her to the place she was when the novel began and ended. Most events in the novel seemed to transpire organically, and the resolution regarding Dillon was not what I expected, but it fit.

The one aspect that didn't quite ring true to me was the interaction with Julia's second daughter's birth father. That wrapped up a little too neatly for me to believe. (I'm not saying things couldn't happen as they did, but it does seem unlikely.)

As I reached the novel's conclusion, I wanted more ... so I was very happy to turn the page and find that a second book centered around Julia's daughter Destiny's adoptive family will release next year. I'm already itching to get my hands on it.

To Know You is a gripping novel that also serves as a cautionary tale to all women, single or married. I highly recommend it!

My rating: 4-1/2 stars

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About the authors: Shannon Ethridge is a best-selling author, speaker, and certified life coach with a master's degree in counseling/human relations from Liberty University. She has spoken to college students and adults since 1989 and is the author of 21 books, including the million-copy best-selling Every Woman's Battle series. She is a frequent guest on TV and radio programs and mentors aspiring writers and speakers through her BLAST Program (Building Leaders, Authors, Speakers & Teachers).

Learn more about Shannon: http://www.shannonethridge.com

Kathryn Mackel is a best-selling author and acclaimed screenwriter for Disney and Fox. She was on the screenwriting team for Left Behind: The Movie, and Frank Peretti's Hangman's Curse. She is the acclaimed author of The Surrogate, The Departed, and The Hidden and resides in Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband.

Learn more about Kathryn: http://www.kathrynmackel.com

About the giveaway:
Shannon Ethridge is celebrating the release of  To Know You (co-written by Kathryn Mackel), by giving away a $100 gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs and a personal coaching session, as well as throwing a Facebook Author Chat Party!

One winner will receive:

• A $100 gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs
• To Know You by Shannon Ethridge

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 19th. Winner will be announced at the "To Know You" Facebook Author Chat Party on the 19th. Connect with Shannon and friends for an encouraging evening of fun chat, book club discussion, giveaways, and a chance to win a PERSONAL COACHING SESSION WITH SHANNON!

So grab your copy of To Know You and join Shannon on the evening of November 19th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER or Pinterest and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on 11/19!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"come back to jesus" by tanya logan

About the book: Have you drifted away from the Faith? Or has life gotten in the way? If any of these:

• Busy-ness

• Relationships

• Hurts

• Addictions

have held you up, you need Come Back to Jesus.

Renew your love of Christ and your joy in building on the gifts God gave you. STOP just going through the motions. Find the time-stealers and replace them by starting afresh with prayer; center yourself in The Word.

Explore the things that could lead you off the "narrow path." Practice opening up to God, being in His presence....

Experience the love of the Lord like you may never have before. Read the book as a personal growth guide, or use it as a 6-week Bible study and share insights and encouragement with your small group.

My take: As soon as I read the description for Come Back to Jesus—and Don't Bring Your Blackberry, I knew I wanted to work through it. It is a six-week Bible study that focuses on the things that pull us away from Christ—specifically things like social media, entertainment, and hobbies. As I've worked through the first couple weeks, I have indeed identified some things that are causing my relationship with Christ to stagnate. This study isn't an easy one, but I believe it is important.

A few things about the study itself: Logan constantly uses Scripture to make her points—which, of course, I would expect from a Bible study! There's more reading here than in many of the studies I've done in the past, and the response sections are limited. I actually really appreciate this, as I often get tired of the "duh" questions in many studies. I like studies that are very personal, and this one is!

I do have to say, though, that if I hadn't read the description, I never would have picked up Come Back to Jesus. Why? Because of the cover and the title. The use of the word "Blackberry" makes the study seem a bit dated to me—how many people actually use a Blackberry anymore? And the cover photo really didn't entice me, either. I don't think many women my age would be drawn to this book because of those two things—and that's a shame, as this is exactly the kind of study we need.

My rating: 4 stars

Buy the book.

About the author: Tanya Logan found herself drawn to Christ while on a cloud-gazing walk at the age of 9. Since then, she has seen His hand in nature from her native East Tennessee to Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA and now Southwest Florida. A writer all of her life, Come Back to Jesus—and Don’t Bring your Blackberry is her 4th book. She has also freelanced extensively and is the ghost author of 11 books, 2 of which are required reading for college courses.

“If I never have another word from God, this one is enough: Go tell the people to get the “stuff” out of the way so they can worship Me better,” Logan says. Thus the 6-week study Come Back to Jesus was born.

Tanya is married to Mickey Logan and together they share an office as well as a love of the ocean, boating, reading, and much silliness.

Find Tanya on the following websites:

Website: http://tanyalogan.com/WomensBibleStudy.html

Secondary site: http://www.comebacktojesusv.com/

Amazon Author Central Page for Tanya: http://www.amazon.com/Tanya-Logan

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tanyawriter

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyawriter/

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/TanyaRDavis
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” I am part of the CWA Review Crew.