Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin

BOOK SUMMARY:

Maybelle Kazinzki can’t sew. She was after all, the only girl in the seventh grade Home Economics class to sew the zipper in the neck hole of the A-Line dress they were supposed to make. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house she gets the crazy idea to finish it—somehow, come heck or high water. She thinks it will help fill the lonely nights while her husband, Holden, is serving overseas during World War II.

Her recently departed mother’s quilt is made from scraps of material Maybelle traces back to her mother’s childhood, her grandmother’s childhood and her own childhood. She tries to add one of Holden’s stripes to it but the sewing is not going well and neither is her life. After receiving some harsh news, Maybelle’s faith falters and she puts the quilt away and stops trusting God. But God is faithful- no matter what. And it’ll take a group of neighborhood women armed with quilting needles to help Maybelle believe that.

MY THOUGHTS:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it took us on a journey through World War II. I found it interesting to see it from the women's side of it, as they are at home waiting to hear something, anything, from their men.  What a difference it was compared to life now of 24 hour news. The women had to be strong all the time as they survived alone with no knowledge of what their men were dealing with.

I loved how the women all spent time around the quilt talking, sharing and encouraging each other. This makes for a great story, and is also a great reminder of how we should live and encourage others.

There are some great lessons applied to the story and the characters have great depth to them.  It is truly a interesting and well written book. I highly recommend it.

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter

BOOK SUMMARY:

Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she'd never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He's loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she's back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she's hiding secrets from her family, and she's strangely attracted to the man who's always called her "squirt." Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.

MY THOUGHTS:

As part of the Chapel Springs Romance series, this book is a wonderful addition. I love how Jade's reaction to her situation and the way she deals with it shows real emotion. This would not be an easy thing to live with and I was grateful it wasn't a "quick fix" but allowed the reader full exposure to her life and thoughts. 

Daniel's character was a lot of fun. He was such a part of the family, it was hard for Jade to see him in a different light. The reader is drawn into the relationship from the beginning and allowed access to both sides along the way. It was a fun reminder that God has a plan and it might be something we can't wrap our minds around until just the right moment.

Denise Hunter writes with such emotion and depth that you feel a part of the family as you read this book.

I highly recommend it and can't wait to read the next book!

Disclosure: I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review.

It Had to be You by Susan May Warren

BOOK SUMMARY:

Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have loved every book of Susan May Warren's that I have loved. This book was no different. This is Book 2 of the Christiansen Family Series. I love how the author draws you in to the characters lives and you become part of the story.  Each character had a well thought out story and the interaction between them was real and down to earth. I loved watching Eden as she grew from being an over-protective sister to the realization that she deserved her own live also.

Watching her learn to trust Jace was so real. It can be hard to put away the past and hope for a better future, but we see a relationship of truth and forgiveness that everyone can relate to in some way.

The addition of the mystery of John Doe, and Jace's relationship with Sam and his daughter Maddy, only make the book more genuine in the way the characters dealt with tragedy and the unknown. While learning to rely on their faith, they progress through stages easily understood by others.

This is a book where you will love the journey just as much as the ending.  You don't want to miss this story! You will find the addition of a prequel and more included. There are some great discussion questions which would be great for a book club.

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Sky without Stars by Linda S. Clare

Book Summary:

Frankie Chasing Bear is caught between cultures. She wants to raise her son Harold to revere his Lakota heritage, but she knows he will need to learn the white man’s ways to succeed. After the untimely death of her husband, Frankie joins the U.S. Government’s Relocation Program and moves to Arizona. There she begins sewing a Lakota Star pattern quilt for Harold with tribal wisdom sung, sewn, and prayed into it.

A bed without a quilt is like a sky without stars, but neither the quilt—nor her new life—comes easily to Frankie. Nick Vandergriff, for instance, is the last man Frankie wants to trust. He’s half-Lakota but Christian, and Frankie can see no good coming from that faith after her own parents were forced to convert at an Indian school. Can Nick convince Frankie that white men and Christians aren’t all bad? And will Frankie learn that love is the most important ingredient—for her son’s quilt and life itself?

MY THOUGHTS:

A Sky without Stars is part of the Quilts of Love series. I enjoyed following the story of Frankie and learning about her heritage. Trying to stay connected in a world where it isn't as easily accepted can be difficult. I thought the author did an amazing job of sharing a deep insight into the life of Frankie and her son Harold. It read as very realistic. I felt along with her as the story developed.
The relationship between Frankie and Nick was honest and mature. There were so many aspects of the story where they appeared as just a real couple dealing with life together. In my opinion, this allowed me to really connect with the characters.
This is a book worth reading! I look forward to reading more books within this series.

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

Distortion by Terri Blackstock

BOOK SUMMARY:

Juliet Cole’s life has been dismantled by the murder of her husband. She doesn’t know who—or what—to trust when everything she has believed to be true about her marriage has been a lie.

A husband’s lies can have deadly consequences.

When Juliet Cole’s husband of fifteen years is murdered before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning, then returns home to break the tragic news to her boys. But a threatening voicemail takes this from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack.

Juliet realizes that she and her children are in danger too, unless she meets the killers’ demands. But as she and her sisters untangle the clues, her husband’s dark secrets come to light. The more she learns, the more of her life is dismantled. Was her husband an innocent victim or a hardened criminal?

MY THOUGHTS:

Terri Blackstock  has done it again and created a wonderful story that will keep you on your toes!I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn't wait for my down time of the day to read it! Often that time went far into the night:) It is full of mystery, suspense and family drama. The story is very well crafted, and will lead you on some amazing journeys. It has a great way of drawing the reader in and making them examine how they might react in situations when faced with the unexpected. The relationships between characters are well thought out and make them so real. The family drama between sisters and learning how to listen and trust are characteristics of any family. This will be a great addition to your book library!

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

The Sinners' Garden by William Sirls

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the small Lake Erie township of Benning, someone is at work cultivating a supernatural garden …

Andy Kemp’s young life has been as ravaged as his scarred face. Disfigured by an abusive father, the teenager hides behind his books and an impenetrable wall of cynicism and anger.

As Andy’s mother struggles to reconnect with him, his Uncle Rip returns transformed from a stint in prison and wants to be a mentor to the reclusive boy, doing everything he can to help end Andy’s pain. When Andy begins hearing strange music through his iPod and making near-prophetic announcements, Rip is convinced that what Andy is hearing is the voice of God.

Elsewhere, police officer Heather Gerisch responds to a late-night breaking and entering in one of the poorest homes in town. She soon realizes that the masked prowler has left thousands of dollars in gift cards from a local grocery store.

As the bizarre break-ins continue and Heather pursues the elusive “Summer Santa,” Andy and Rip discover an enormous and well-kept garden of wildflowers that seems to have grown overnight at an abandoned steel mill.

Soon, they realize who the gardener is, and a spree of miracles transfigures this small town from a place of hopelessness into a place of healing and beauty.

MY THOUGHTS: 

WOW! I could just leave it at that and tell you to rush out and buy this book! This story is an amazing spiritual journey that leads us where we never could imagine. There are so many levels in the development of this book, that I had a very hard time putting it down. The characters are incredible in their depth and creativity.

I loved the "Summer Santa" story and couldn't wait to see who it was.  The author did a marvelous job at weaving the characters history into the story.  Learning about the authors own life story made the book that much more real to me. You can learn more about the author at http://www.williamsirls.com

This is a longer book, but once I started it was a fast read and kept me on my toes throughout.

You do not want to miss out on this exciting story of faith, love and forgiveness. I found myself laughing and crying till the very end.

You can find the book on Amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My reviews are my own opinion and may differ from others

A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron

  

BOOK SUMMARY:

Elizabeth is at a crossroad. She’s been given the chance to experience life outside of her community, away from the responsibility to care for her eight younger siblings, but Elizabeth Bontrager can’t decide which road to take. Goshen has its charms and pressures, but Paradise, Pennsylvania, sounds . . . well, like paradise. And it’s also home to her Englisch friend, Paula. Decision made. Elizabeth is Paradise bound.

But will the small town live up to its name? When Elizabeth meets Paula’s friend, Bruce, she quickly learns he wants more than a friendship. And the same might be true of Saul Miller, her new boss at the country story that sells Amish products to the Englisch community. As the two compete for her attention, Elizabeth is surprised to realize she misses her family and becomes even more uncertain about where she belongs. She has a choice to make: return home or embrace this new life and possibly a new love?

MY THOUGHTS:

This is Book 1 in the Amish Roads Series.  I encourage everyone to read it now! It is such a refreshing and heartwarming story of love, forgiveness and family. I love how Elizabeth's character grows in  her personal journey and how she comes to term with her choices and ability to move forward. Her character is very easy to relate to because everyone has choices they have to work through and be able to feel confident in them. 

Watching the relationship between Elizabeth and Paula grow despite their obvious differences was a testimony of how God can bring people in our lives at just the right moment. Paula helps Elizabeth start her new life, and is an encouragement to her.

Struggles come to the relationship with Saul and Elizabeth, but by working together and trusting each other we find an amazing story develop.

You can find the book for yourself on amazon.com. 

Learn more about the author here http://barbaracameron.com/

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

Hopeful by Shelley Shepard Gray

Book Summary:

In the Amish town of Sugarcreek, love comes in many forms. But will it come at all for Miriam?

Miriam Zehr has worked at the Sugarcreek Inn longer than she cares to admit. The restaurant is a favorite of town residents as well as the many tourists who come to taste the famous Amish fare. Though she always tries to have a smile for every customer, deep down Miriam knows something’s missing: a family of her own.

Miriam has never felt particularly beautiful, especially because she’s always been a bit heavier than other girls her age. When Junior, the man she’s pined for all her life, suddenly seeks her out, she’s thrilled to be noticed . . . until she realizes he’s only asking her to help get the attention of Mary Kathryn Hershberger, her pretty friend.

If Miriam helps Junior court Mary Kathryn, she’ll get to spend a lot of time with him, but she might lose him in the process. Are these few stolen moments worth a lifetime of sacrifice? Is Miriam right to even hope for the life she dreams of?

My Thoughts:

This is Book 1 in the new Return to Sugarcreek series. I am already looking forward to Book 2. What I loved most about this book was the truths it told, and followed a story everyone can relate to in some way. 

What would you do if the person you loved wanted you to help them find love with someone else? Although not everyone will experience this, I'm sure most people can relate to "the one that got away".  It was encouraging to see how Miriam handled herself in this situation and watch how she put others ahead of herself. Now, I'm not sure I could have done what she did, but I admired the Christ like way she treated others. 

The relationships between Miriam and Junior and Mary Kathryn were shown in a deep and creative way. I felt drawn in to the story and became a part of it myself. The characters were brought to life in unique and creative ways which allow the reader to really relate to each one.

You can find this book for yourself at amazon.com. 

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others

The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book Summary(from Amazon)

Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime's accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. About the only thing that holds her interest is the spirited and dangerously handsome Jimmy Fisher--and he seems bent on irritating her to no end.

When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden, she suddenly finds herself wondering, Shootfire! How did that happen? Despite her newfound purposefulness, a gnawing emptiness about a childhood mystery continues to plague her. Encouraged by Jimmy Fisher, she will seek out the answers she craves--and uncover a shocking secret that will break her heart, heal it, and point her to love.

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in The Inn at Eagle Hill series. Although reading the books in order is always my first choice, you can read this book as a stand alone. I know you will want to read more when you are done with this!

I love how Suzanne Woods Fisher can create a wonderfully written book with many twists and end up with something that leaves you wanting to know more. I love how the characters draw you in and bring you into their lives. I found myself relating to each one at some point in the story. I love Bethany's journey to find truth and a reconnect of faith in her life. We can learn about how the simple life of the Amish can help during the struggles of life and help us lean on what's important.

This shows an inside look at volunteering, connecting and being able to move into the future and leaving the past behind. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good, clean read with some twists and turns along the way.

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in order to do my review. My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own.

A Promise Kept By Robin Lee Hatcher

Book Description:

God was going to save her marriage, Allison was sure of it. But neither her husband nor her marriage had been saved.

What had become of His promise?

Tony Kavanagh had been Allison’s dream-come-true. They were in love within days, engaged within weeks, married and pregnant within a year. Her cup bubbled over with joy . . . but years later, that joy had been extinguished by unexpected trials.

The day Allison issued her husband an ultimatum, she thought it might save him. She never expected he would actually leave. She was certain God had promised to heal; it was clear that she'd misunderstood.

Now, living in the quiet mountain cabin she inherited from her single, self-reliant Great Aunt Emma, Allison must come to terms with her grief and figure out how to adapt to small town life. But when she finds a wedding dress and a collection of journals in Emma’s attic, a portrait of her aunt emerges that takes Allison completely by surprise: a portrait of a heartbroken woman surprisingly like herself.

As Allison reads the incredible story of Emma’s life in the 1920s and 1930s, she is forced to ask a difficult question: Does she really surrender every piece of her life to the Lord?

Drawing from her own heart-wrenching story of redemption, A Promise Kept is Robin Lee Hatcher’s emotionally charged thanksgiving to a God who answers prayers—in His own time and His own ways.

My Thoughts:

This was both an exciting book, and an emotional journey.  As we see Allison working to restore her relationship with God and learn to move on from her divorce, we also gain the insight of her past married life with Tony. I feel that by moving back and forth between present and past, we  can learn to relate to each character better knowing where they came from. Not all books that do this are able to pull it off in a natural way, but I was thrilled with how it works. 

I loved hearing Emma's life through the journals. I'm sure we all have times when we wish we knew what went on in our family past. I felt Emma's character was well written and was easy to connect with even though she had already passed on when the book begins.

This is a great story of forgiveness, love and second chances. You will not read this without emotion.

You can find this book on AMAZON. 

You can learn more about the author and her other amazing stories on her WEBSITE.

Disclosure: I received a free print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am  part of the book sneeze review team. My reviews are my own opinion and may differ from others.

A Miracle of hope by Ruth Reid

Book Summary(from AMAZON):

She’s
heard about forgiveness all her life, but how far does God’s mercy truly reach?

Lindie Wyse thinks an
arranged marriage is the only way to preserve a future for herself and her
unborn child. Josiah Plank is certain he’ll never love again, but he needs
someone to care for his deaf eight-year-old daughter, Hannah. The two take on
their arrangement tentatively at first but soon realize they are each in for
more than they imagined. After a short time, Lindie experiences a breakthrough
with Hannah when she recognizes the child’s special gifts, but a risky
pregnancy and serious health issues threaten to demolish the foundation Josiah and
Lindie are building—and the love that is growing between them.

Will their marriage
survive their struggles, or will their hearts become as cold as the northern
winter?

My Thoughts: 

A Miracle of Hope is Book 1 in the Amish Wonders series. This is a wonderfully created story which draws you in and shows you how God's love, grace and forgiveness can change your life.

I loved the relationship not only between Lindie and Josiah, but between Lindie and Hannah. The patience Lindie showed in dealing with a new situation is a great example of following Christ even without knowing what will happen. 

Through the trials they face, we gain an insight to their journey from strangers to a family.

You will find yourself involved in this story and having a hard time putting it down!

I can't wait to continue learning more in book 2.

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in order to do a review. All my reviews are honest and my own opinion.

A Marriage in Middlebury

Book Summary (from AMAZON)

Charlotte Rose Hill has been serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky but beloved customers for more than 10 years. But for her, marriage seems like an elusive butterfly, always out of reach. At 18, Charlotte fell in love with a young man, Sam Wilder, but his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. She did, and
then became engaged to another man, who later died before they were married. Now, more than a decade later, Charlotte finds that she still has feelings for her first love. Initially thrilled to learn that Sam has come home to Middlebury, Texas, Charlotte is devastated to learn that he’s brought someone with him: his fiancée. But all is not lost when the townsfolk decide to get
involved. Will Charlotte and Sam find their way back to each other?

My Thoughts:

What I enjoyed about this book were the characters and the way there was a history involved. It's like getting a second chance to make a different choice. I'm sure everyone has been in a situation they wish they could get a do-over for. I was excited to see where Charlotte and Sam's relationship would go. Nothing was easy and there were many obstacles to overcome, but the dynamics throughout the storyline were great and made me want to keep reading. I couldn't wait to find out if they would end up together or if life had just moved on too much to go back. 
the relationship between Sam and his Father is not a unique relationship, but had a fresh approach to it and drew me in. I recommend this book and look forward to many other of Anita Higman's books!


Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

Andi Unexpected by Amanda Flower

Book Summary (from Amazon)

Twelve-year-old Andora 'Andi' Boggs and her fourteen-year-old sister Bethany move to rural Ohio to live with their eccentric twenty-something aunt after the sudden death of their parents. While dealing with her grief, Andi discovers proof of another Andora Boggs in the family tree whose existence was hidden in a Depression-era trunk in the attic. With help from her new friend and neighbor, Colin Carter, Andi is determined to find out who this first Andora was and what happened to her.

My Thoughts: 

This is a great teen mystery book! It's a quick and fun read with some great characters. It's interesting to watch the relationship of the sisters and how they are dealing with the lost of their parents. I love the different dynamics shown with all the characters. It's a touch of family relationships, with a mystery to solve mixed in. This book is part of a new series which I'm sure will become a hit among teens! You can find out more about this book, and others, on the authors website

This would make a great Christmas gift!

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I received this book as a reviewer for www.booksneeze.com. My reviews are always honest and my own opinions.

Every Hill and Mountain by Deborah Heal

Book Summary (from Amazon)


Those who have read Time
and Again and Unclaimed Legacy know
that Abby Thomas is a college student on a summer service project with
11-year-old Merri. And they know that the summer is not going the way Abby had
expected--but in a good way. For one thing, she meets a very nice guy named John
Roberts. And for another, she discovers a strange computer program
called Beautiful House that lets her fast-forward and rewind life.
Not her own, of course, but those of the people who lived in Merri's old house.
And the Old Dears' old house, and...well, any old house.


And since the program worked so well for the Old Dears' family
tree project, Abby's college roommate Kate hopes it will help her find out more
about her ancestor Ned Greenfield. And Kate's fiancé Ryan thinks the program
has lucrative commercial potential. 


Abby and John reluctantly agree to help Kate, but only on
the condition that she and Ryan promise to keep the program a secret, because
if it fell into the wrong hands...well, no one wants Big Brother invading their
privacy.


The two couples take a trip to the tiny town of Equality,
set in the hills of southern Illinois and the breath-taking Shawnee National
Forest. According to Kate's research, Ned Greenfield was born there at a place
called Hickory Hill.


The mayor, police chief, and townspeople are hospitable and
helpful--until the topic of Hickory Hill comes up. They seem determined to keep
them away, telling them, "There's nothing there for you to see." 

Eventually they find Hickory Hill on their own--both the
mansion and the lonely hill it sits upon. Built in 1834, Hickory Hill stands
sentinel over Half Moon Salt Mine where the original owner John Granger
accumulated his blood-tainted fortune. 


Abby and her friends meet Miss Granger, Hickory Hill's
current eccentric owner, and they eventually get the chance to time-surf there.
Their shocking discovery on the third floor concerning Kate's ancestor Ned
Greenfield is almost too much to bear. What they learn sends them racing to the
opposite end of the state to find the missing link in Kate's family tree. And
there they are reminded that God is in the business of redemption--that one day
he'll make all things new.


My Thoughts:

What can I say? Again, I was brought into a unique look at history from the perspective of Abby, John and Merri. I found myself intrigued again with how they find themselves involved with some type of "history mystery". There is so much great information wrapped up in this wonderful adventure. I loved how the relationships continue to grow and develop in this book. I really feel connected and involved in the story. The story focusing around the underground railroad leads itself in a direction for many stories to be told. 
I love the dynamics between the original time-surfers and the idea of bringing Kate into their secret.  Ryan was the perfect "bad guy" in the book. In a way you could imagine something would happen with him at the center of the trouble, but it was exciting learning to what degree he was willing to go to.
The people in Equality were great additions. The characters were well developed and they all had a very important part in the creation of the story.
I was sad to see the book end. I think this series was written in a way that could easily add more books to it and never run out of creative time-surfing ideas. I feel God is using Deborah Heal in a mighty way to show stories of God's love and redemption in new and unique ways to reach people all over. Good News is, as you can learn more about on her BLOG, Abby, John and Merri are back for more! I know I can't wait to read them!



Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are completely my own and may differ from others.

Unspoken by Dee Henderson

Book Summary: (from amazon)

Charlotte Graham is at the center of the most famous kidnapping in Chicago history.

The task force of FBI and local cops found her two abductors, killed them, rescued her, but it took four very long years. The fact she was found less than three miles from her home, had been there the entire time, haunts them. She's changed her identity, found a profession she loves, and rebuilt her life.

She's never said a word--to the cops, to her doctors, to family--about those four years. 
A family legacy has brought her back to Chicago where a reporter is writing a book about the kidnapping. The cops who worked the case are cooperating with him. Her options are limited: Hope the reporter doesn't find the full truth, or break her silence about what happened. And her silence is what has protected her family for years.

Bryce Bishop doesn't know her past, he only knows she has coins to sell from her grandfather's estate--and that the FBI director for the Chicago office made the introduction. The more he gets to know Charlotte, the more interested he becomes, an interest encouraged by those closest to her. But nothing else is working in his favor--she's decided she is single for life, she struggles with her faith, and she's willing to forego a huge inheritance to keep her privacy. She's not giving him much of an opening to work with.

Charlotte wants to trust him. She needs to tell him what happened. Because a crime cops thought was solved, has only opened another chapter...

My Thoughts:

This was such an interesting book! There were so many layers to the storyline which were well thought out and worked to make it an exciting plot. I was drawn in to the different characters, but especially with Charlotte in what she went through. Although she had a very hard life, her strength to go on, and how she learned to deal with everything was wonderful to read. 

I felt the story took me on a journey where I never was completely sure where I was going, but knowing I wanted to be there! 

Dee Henderson has a way of making you feel a part of the characters in a real and personal way. Details have a way of showing you the truth and encouraging you to follow alongside the characters. 

You can find out more about the author on her website.  

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own,and may differ from others.

Unclaimed Legacy by Deborah Heal

Book Summary: (from amazon)


"I call it time-surfing," Abby said. "It's like being there,
except no one can see or hear us."

"Whatever you call it," John said, "that was crazy--what we just did.
Beyond realistic. I mean, I was in that guy's head
and knew everything he was thinking."

Abby's weird computer program is working again. And it comes
in handy when she and her friends agree to help the Old Dears with their family
tree. 

Except Abby and John learn more about one of the ladies'
ancestors than they ever wanted to know. Convicted in 1871 of murder and arson,
Reuben Buchanan is a blight on the family's reputation. But was he really
guilty? Abby and John must get inside the mind of a murderer to find out. 

And while they're rummaging around in the Old Dears' family
history, they also find Nathan Buchanan, a heroic relative connected to the
Lewis and Clark Expedition--and a legacy waiting to be reclaimed. But the most important discovery they make is that God's
promise to bless a thousand generations is true.


My Thoughts:

Unclaimed Legacy is book 2 in the Time and Again series. We are again given the amazing opportunity to join the adventures of Abby and John, and Merri as they time surf to discover and help someone out. I love the characters in the story and how they relate to each other. I especially love seeing the way Abby and Merri have grown in trust and acceptance. Abby creates a safe place for Merri during the hard times with her Dad, and Merri knows she can trust Abby with the truth. At this point I feel myself connected to each character and invested in their relationships. I loved seeing Eulah and Beulah and their story. They are quite the characters and entertaining to watch throughout the book. Each person comes to find themselves in situations where there might be struggles, but they find encouragement in the fact that they can put their trust in God to carry them through.

Again, as with Time and Again, I had an extremely difficult time putting the book down. That to me is the sign of a perfect book,and one I want to share with others and to read myself many times. I'm getting ready to read book 3 now. I can't wait, and I'm anticipating more sleepless nights ahead!

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own, and may differ from others.

To Know You by Shannon Ethridge **with a great giveaway!

Book Description courtesy of amazon.com

JuliaWhittaker’s rocky past yielded two daughters, both given up for adoption asinfants. Now she must find them to try to save her son.

Julia and Matt Whittaker’s son hasbeaten the odds for thirteen years only to have the odds—and his liver—crashprecipitously. 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 olderhalf-sisters, born eighteen months apart to two different fathers, offer hisonly hope for survival.

But can Julia ask a youngwoman—someone she surrendered to strangers long ago and has never spokenwith—to make such a sacrifice to save a brother she’s never known? Can shemuster the courage to journey back into a shame-filled season of her life, faceher choices and their consequences, and find any hope of healing?

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

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

My Thoughts: 

I loved this story. As we follow the characters on the journey of love, forgiveness and ultimately sacrifice, we learn so much that can be applied to our lives. The depth of the storyline and the way the author takes us back in time to the beginning of the story is incredible. It is well written and will keep your attention the entire time. I felt completely a part of the story. I kept wondering who, if anyone, would be a match for Dillon. I kept changing my mind on what I thought would happen and was pleasantly surprised at the end. 

It was interesting to see how Julia related to her daughters in different ways and through different struggles. It portrayed a natural and realistic journey into their relationships.

We find out how importatnt life is, and how life-altering forgiveness and sacrifice are. There is no way you can read this book adn not be affected in some way.

This is a book for the must read list! I will be recommending it to everyone I know. The reading group discussion questions at the end are great, and would be fun conversation starters for a book club. 

You can find out more about the author at http://www.shannonethridge.com 

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: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.