Review of This Road we Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick

This blog post is a review of the book This Road we Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick. 

Back Cover Synopsis: 
        " 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."

About the Author:
     Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of nearly thirty books, including A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. She is also the winner of the WILLA Literary Award and Carol Award for Historical Fiction. Jane lives in Central Oregon with her husband, Jerry. Learn more at www.jkbooks.com.

My thoughts:
       I really enjoyed This Road we Traveled. I had never read any of Jane Kirkpatrick's work before, but expected good things from such an award-winning author. I was not disappointed. This book was very well written. It was based on real life events and real people but written as historical fiction. The characters and events were very realistic because so many of them were real. This story gives real insight into what many people faced on the Oregon Trail and the tough decisions that they had to make. It was a thought provoking yet entertaining read. The determination and perseverance of the pioneers is celebrated in the pages of this book. I would recommend this book to teens and adults. I received this book in exchange for my honest review through the Revell Reads blogger review program.

Review of Where Hope Prevails by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

This blog post is a review of the book Where Hope Prevails by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan. Where Hope Prevails is the third book in the Return to the Canada West series.

*SPOILER ALERT*  This book is a companion story to Hallmark Channel's When Calls the Heart TV series. If you are watching the TV series and not fully caught up and don't like spoilers you might not want to read this book or post. The book is not exactly the same as the series but it is fairly close in some places.

Back Cover Synopsis: 

She leans forward for her first glimpse of the little mountain town that has captured her heart, but something has changed.

Elizabeth Thatcher's highly anticipated return to her beloved Coal Valley after a long summer with her family back east is filled with surprises . . . and not all of them good ones, in her estimation. Maybe the worst one of all relates to her treasured students. Can she adapt and learn to cope with this enormous change?Her Mountie, Jarrick Thornton, hasn't yet proposed, but she already knows what her answer will be. His duties take him away from the valley much too often, in her view, but the two of them, with patience and understanding--and one significant misunderstanding--are learning to know each other better. The dark cloud looming on the horizon in Beth's mind, though, is filled with questions about where their future might take them. As a member of the RCMP, Jarrick is stationed wherever his superiors send him . . . but what about her teaching position in Coal Valley?Beth attempts to do her best with each obstacle she faces, but does she rightly assess each situation as it surfaces? Good intentions don't always lead to good results. . . .A companion story to Hallmark Channel's When Calls the Heart TV series

About the Authors:
   Bestselling author Janette Oke is celebrated for her significant contribution to the Christian book industry. Her novels have sold more than thirty million copies, and she's the recipient of the ECPA President's Award, the CBA Life Impact Award, the Gold Medallion, and the Christy Award. Janette and her husband, Edward, live in Alberta, Canada.
   
  Laurel Oke Logan, daughter of Edward and Janette Oke, is the author of Janette Oke: A Heart for the Prairie, as well as the novels Dana's Valley,Where Courage Calls, and Where Trust Lies, which she co-wrote with her mom. Laurel's growing family includes six children, their spouses, and three grandsons. 


My thoughts: I have to admit I enjoy a good clean chick flick every now and then, so I have always enjoyed watching the Janette Oke books turned movies. So yes, I do watch When Calls the Heart. I have been waiting for the next installment to come out so when I got the chance to review this book I couldn't resist spoilers or not. My sister can't stand spoilers but they have never really bothered me. I can enjoy a book or movie even when I know the end. I mean I read books over and over again all the time. But I digress... On to the actual review part. Janette Oke is a prolific and talented writer and her daughter must have inherited her talent because this book is a good solid read. Entertaining yet not too light. This book delves into some problems that a lot of people face. How do you love your enemy? And is your enemy really your enemy or just someone you misunderstood or feel threatened by? I know too often I find myself feeling the same way about some people as Elizabeth feels about Robert Harris Hughes in this story. This story is well written and the characters are compelling and relatable. I completely sympathized with Elizabeth throughout the story although I did get a little impatient with her hesitation to explain how she felt about certain things to Jack. But that is 5 1/2 years of marriage speaking. And just for anyone reading this to find out what happens with Jack and Elizabeth well I'll let you read the book. ;-) I enjoyed this book and recommend it to teens and adults. It is the third book in the series but I read it without too much confusion. If you watch the show you can probably read it without reading the first two. I received this book from the Bethany House publishers blogger review program in exchange for my honest review.

Review of Saffire by Sigmund Brouwer

This blog post is a review of the book Saffire by Sigmund Brouwer.

Back cover synopsis: 

I reminded myself that once you start to defend someone, it's difficult to find a place to stop. But I went ahead and took that first step anyway...

For President Teddy Roosevelt, controlling the east-west passage between two oceans mattered so much that he orchestrated a revolution to control it. His command was to "let the dirt fly" and for years, the American Zone of the Panama Canal mesmerized the world, working in uneasy co-existence with the Panamanian aristocrats.
     It's in this buffered Zone where, in 1909, James Holt begins to protect a mulatto girl named Saffire, expecting a short and simple search for her mother. Instead it draws him away from safety, into a land haunted by a history of pirates, gold runners, and plantation owners, all leaving behind ghosts of their interwoven desires, sins, and ambitions, ghosts that create the web of deceit and intrigue of a new generation of revolutionary politics. It will also bring him together with a woman who will change his course   or bring an end to it.
     A love story set within a historical mystery, Saffire brings to life the most impressive   and embattled    engineering achievement of the twentieth century.

About the Author:
 The best-selling author of the multi-award-winning World War II novel Thief of Glory, SIGMUND BROUWER has written nineteen novels and has more than three million books in print. Through his Rock and Roll Literacy Show, he leads writing workshops to eighty-thousand students a year in schools from the Arctic Circle to inner-city Los Angeles. Sigmund is married to recording artist Cindy Morgan and has two daughters.

My thoughts:
    I really enjoyed this book. It is wonderfully descriptive I could almost see the sights, smell the smells, and taste the food just through the authors words. His attention to detail set the scene and made the story come to life right in front of me. Mr. Brouwer is a phenomenal writer. The story is set in Panama during the building of the Canal. If you enjoy learning about history in a story setting this book is a good choice. I have always been a bit of a history buff so I definitely enjoyed it. Saffire has a bit of everything history, mystery, romance, suspense, and intrigue all combined to make a wonderful read. I look forward to reading more of this author's work in the future.
    I received this book from blogging for books in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "Without Warning" by Lynette Eason

Today's blog post is a review of Without Warning by Lynette Eason. Without Warning is the second book in the Elite Guardians series.

Back Cover Synopsis:
Intensity. Skill. Tenacity.
The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.
Katie Singleton, a partner with the Elite Guardians Protection Agency, stumbles upon her next assignment quite by accident. Spotting blue lights at a familiar restaurant, she stops to investigate, only to discover that owner Daniel Matthews has become the target of someone who will go to any lengths to put him out of business.

Daniel might be concerned, but he's not convinced that a bodyguard--and a female one at that--is necessary. A new attack and his niece's urgings are enough to make him reconsider. He and Katie must figure out who's behind the intimidation and threats--before a would-be killer strikes again.

About the Author:
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, and the Hidden Identity series, as well as Always Watching and Without Warning in the Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of an ACFW Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. She has a master's degree in education from Converse College and lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com. 

My Thoughts:
Without Warning is the first book that I have read by Lynette Eason. It looked interesting so I thought I would give it a shot. I started reading not knowing what to expect and ended up finding another Christian suspense/mystery author to read. From the first words this book grabs your attention and doesn't let go. It was a real page turner and hard to put down. Lynette Eason is a talented writer who knows how to make a story come alive. I lookforward to reading more of her books in the future. Although Without Warning is the second book in its series it is easily stand alone. While it makes a couple references to the previous book you don't feel like you are missing pertinent information or playing catch up. All in all I enjoyed the book and recommend it to older teens and adults who enjoy this type of book. I received this book in exchange for my honest review through the Revell Reads blogger review program. 

Back to blogging

I know it has been a while since I last blogged. Right about a month actually  but that's ok because I allowed myself that much time as I knew I would need it. Ladies and gentlemen I have an announcement (insert drum roll)... MY HUSBAND IS FINALLY HOME!!! We made it through a seemingly endless deployment! I took some time off of everything non essential until we could get used to Daddy being home. It has been so good having him home. He came back in Father's Day weekend. The Saturday of Marie and Dustin's vow renewal. The kids went up with mom and dad and I stayed behind and picked Beau up. In true military fashion he was released about 3 or more hours later than he was supposed to be. My phone died waiting for him so I didn't get any homecoming pictures. :-(  As soon as he was released we grabbed his bags and hit the road. We headed up to Alabama to surprise Dad and the kids for Father's Day. We stopped part of the way there and got a room for the night and went the rest of the way in the morning. We were exhausted and didn't make it in until after church but we were able to spend several hours with the family. When we got their Abby saw us coming across the parking lot at church and took off at a full run towards Beau. She hit him so hard she nearly knocked him over. Rachel saw her daddy put out her arms and just said oh daddy, oh daddy and wouldn't let go of him. It was so sweet and pitiful. Hunter didn't even see him at first. He saw me and had this look like what are you doing here mommy and I finally got him to look at his daddy then he held onto his legs and hugged him. Ruthie hit Beau about like Abby did. Francie kept her composure and waited until she could get a hug without getting knocked over or pushed out of the way. LOL The boys were mostly just shocked that he was there. The hugged him and kept asking what we were doing there. Mom and Dad of course got their fair share of hugs and tears in mom's case. I think all of us teared up a little. It was so good to finally have him back. We had lunch and a nice visit with the family at Brother and Sister Horne's home. It was so nice to be able to visit with the family and friends in a private place instead of in a busy, noisy, restaurant. We are so thankful that they opened up their home to us. It was a blessing.
    After our visit we took off towards Pigeon Forge. We had made plans to spend about a week up there in a nice secluded cabin. We had a wonderful time. We mostly stayed at the cabin but we did venture out and go hiking one day, and to a cave a different day, then out for lunch or dinner a couple different times. It was relaxing and just what we needed after so long apart.
   On our way home we went back through Alabama and rescued Josh and Sissy as they had been stranded their since BTI when Josh hurt his ankle. We finally got home and got settled back in with the kids.
   Beau had a 30 day leave and he just went back to work about 2 weeks ago. It was good having him home for so long a period. It helped us readjust to having him home. My mom and Zach and Beth came down for a visit. That was nice. Then we had camp. I ended up not going the construction theme because I couldn't get the inspiration for it. When I put my devotions together I ended up going a completely different direction. It worked out great and the kids really seemed to get it. So that was great. I loved working with the kids. Hunter however was pushing the boundaries all camp long. He thought since Daddy was home maybe he didn't have to listen to Mommy anymore. He seems to be finally getting that he has to listen to both of us. It made for a very exhausting camp though.
      In other news Mom and Dad C are moving to Alabama to pastor the Bessemer church and Nathan is going out west to be an associate pastor. It is bitter-sweet we are sad to see them go. We will miss them so much and feel sort of left behind. At the same time we are excited for them and the new adventure God is taking them on. Our new pastor is Brother Clarkson and Brother Austin Garcia is our associate pastor. That is exciting too.
  In more serious news my grandfather has congestive heart failure and is not doing well at all. About a week ago he was given anywhere from a couple days to a month to live. He is in need of prayer. Our whole family needs prayer but especially my dad. He just lost his mom in November and now Pappaw is so very sick. Please keep Pappaw and all of us in your prayers.
 

Review of All Summer Long by Melody Carlson

This blog post is a review of the book All Summer Long by Melody Carlson.

 

Back cover synopsis:  

She's ready to take on a new challenge. What she doesn't expect is an old flame.

Tia D'Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt transform an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. What's not to love? Sunset dinner cruises, posh wedding receptions--the possibilities are endless and far more appetizing than staying in a monotonous job in her Podunk hometown. Besides, some of her best memories are tied to San Francisco--especially the memory of Leo Parker, her crush from a long-ago sailing camp.

When Leo Parker himself turns out to be the yacht's captain, Tia is floating on air. But will it all come crashing down around her when she discovers his heart belongs to someone else?

Get ready for a romantic summer in San Francisco, where the future glistens brighter than the Bay at sunset.

About the Author: 

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred boops with sales of more than 6.5 million. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com. 

My thoughts :

 All Summer Long was a pretty entertaining book but didn't have a lot of substance to it. It was, for the most part, a fluffy light read. I prefer books that have more substance and meat to them. The characters were well written and the plot was interesting and I could tell that the author had a talent for writing. Overall I thought the book was about average. I didn't hate it but I didn't really love it either. I liked it ok but it wasn't my favorite. It is the second book in the Follow Your Heart series but can stand alone. It is a christian book but it didn't really have a lot of christian overtones to it. If you like light fluffy entertaining reads then you will probably enjoy this book. If you prefer more substance and the romance as a side or seasoning to the main story you probably won't enjoy this book as much. Like I said before, I didn't really dislike the book it just wasn't my cup of tea.

  I received this book in exchange for my honest review as part of the Revell Reads blogger review program. 

Catching up

How is it that time seems to pass so slowly when we are children but by the time we have children of our own we feel like we are running ninety to nothing all the time? I feel like I get so busy with the day to day, taking care of my children, home, church responsibilities, and miscellaneous things that come up that time can seem to whiz by but you can't think of anything major that has happened. Somewhere in the time since I last blogged, Jordy and I took the kids to the beach. That was fun. They are finally starting to enjoy the water. Other than that just regular every day stuff. Spring/summer cleaning windows, blinds, doors, walls, etc. Then we have been getting ready for Marie and Dustin's vow renewal. Beau's aunt and uncle who are only about 5 or so years older than us have been married for 15 years. They didn't get to have a nice big wedding the first time around so they are having it now. They are having most of the kids in it. Rachel, Abby, Catie, (Marie's daughter almost 3) and Jayden (Paul and Tina's daughter 5) are the flower girls. Rachel is super excited, she talks about it all the time. We have been getting all of her stuff together that she needs for that. So that involved a bit of running around and a shopping trip with Ruthie and Francie to find their shoes as they are bridesmaids. That is coming up very quickly now. Other than that not much to say other than we have had some good services lately.                Sometimes I feel discouraged and lonely with my husband so far away and taking care of everything by myself can be exhausting. The other night we had a really good service and I was able to get to that place where I just felt like I was getting a big hug from the Lord. Where He just held me and renewed my strength and my joy and I felt so rested and refreshed. It's amazing how He knows exactly what we need and when and how to give it to us. How to help us trust everything to Him. God is so good and gracious. I am so thankful that we have Saviour who can be touched with the feeling of out infirmitys. He knows our struggles and our sorrows because He took upon him the form of a  man and was found in fashion as a man. Jesus  was the very Son of God and He humbled himself to come to earth and dwell among us, to suffer the sorrows and trials we suffer, and He did it willingly. He did it because He loved us, even while we hated and rejected Him, He loved us enough to take our sins upon Himself and die that we might have new life through Him. He is so wonderful. 

     I think that is about caught up except for trying to figure out what the Lord wants me to share with the Peewee campers for cabin devotions  and trying to figure out how to draw them into it. Our camp theme is No turning back so I've been kind of thinking of the no uturn signs and road construction stuff and incorporating that somehow since a lot of little ones, especially little boys like cars. I will have all the boys and girls 6 and under and their moms in my cabin so I need to keep it short and simple but still get the message across. It has been a while since I taught kids that age,other than my own. I have been working with 8-12 year olds for a while now and haven't worked as much with littles or teens as much as I used to. Which my great group of kids are getting older and becoming VLB's and leaving my class which is really sad and happy at the same time. I miss working with them but they are so excited to be VLB's it makes me happy. 

Review of Murder Comes by Mail by A. H. Gabhart

This blog post is a review of the book Murder Comes by Mail by A. H. Gabhart.
Front Cover:

Back cover synopsis:
Doing a good deed never felt so bad
Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane doesn't particularly enjoy being touted as the hero of Hidden Springs after pulling a suicidal man back from the edge of the Eagle River bridge in front of dozens of witnesses--a few of whom caught the breathtaking moments with their cameras. But the media hype doesn't last long as a new story pushes its way into the public consciousness of Hidden Springs' concerned citizens. 

Photos of a dead girl arrive in the mail, and Michael becomes convinced she was murdered by the man he saved. With a killer one step ahead, things in Hidden Springs begin to unravel. Now Michael must protect the people he loves--because the killer could be targeting one of them next.

About the Author :
A. H. Gabhart is the author of Murder at the Courthouse. As Ann H. Gabhart, she is the bestselling author of many novels, including Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, and Love Comes Home, and several popular Shaker novels such as The Outsider, The Believer, andThe Innocent. Ann grew up in a small rural town in Kentucky much like Hidden Springs. She and her husband still live on a farm near that same Kentucky town. Learn more at www.annhgabhart.com.

My thoughts:
  This was a clean and well written book. It was a "cozy mystery" and book two in the Hidden Springs Mysteries series. Though it was book two it could easily be read on its own. I didn't feel like I was having to play catch up or missing an integral part of the story. That was a big plus for me. This book is written by a christian author but doesn’t contain an overtly christian message. I like books with a message so that was a negative for me. Overall I did enjoy the book. The characters were realistic and believable and drew you into the story. The story kept you guessing and was entertaining. It was a murder mystery so there was some thematic material in the book but it wasn't overly descriptive and it was pretty clean. No bad words, not too much violence and in general a decent read. It was a book that guys as well as girls could get into. I can see my husband reading this book and enjoying it. I enjoyed this book and give it a 4 out of 5. If it had more of a christian message I would give it a perfect score because it was really well written and interesting. I received this book in exchange for my honest review through the Revell Reads blogger review program.

Review of A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton

This blog post is a review of A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton. It is the second book in the Path Finders series.

Back cover synopsis:

        Hearts are divided. 

        Loyalties will be tested. 

        The fates of two families 

        hang in the balance. 

Twenty years ago, during the devastating fall of Fort William Henry in 1757, a young Redcoat named Reginald Aubrey stole a newborn boy - the lighter-skinned of Oneida twins - and raised him as his own.

    No one connected to Reginald escaped unscathed from this crime. Not his adopted daughter Anna. Not Stone Thrower, the Native American father determined to get his son back. Not Two Hawks, William's twin brother separated since birth, living in the shadow of his absence and hoping to build a future with Anna. Nor Lydia, who longs for Reginald to be free from his self-imposed emotional prison and embrace God's forgiveness - and her love.

      Now William, whose identity has been shattered after discovering the truth of his birth, hides in the ranks of an increasingly aggressive British army. The Redcoats prepare to attack frontier New York, and the Continentals, aided by Two Hawks and the Oneida warriors, rally to defend it. As the Revolutionary War penetrates the Mohawk Valley, two families separated by culture but united by love and faith must find a way to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies. 

About the Author:

Lori Benton was raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American history going back three hundred years. Her novels transport readers to the eighteenth century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history. When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching, Lori enjoys exploring the Oregon wilderness with her husband. She is the author of Burning Sky, recipient of three Christy Awards, and The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn.

My thoughts: 

     A Flight of Arrows was a decent enough book and had a wonderful redemptive message. With that being said it was hard for me to get into. I had trouble connecting with the characters and and felt like I was trying to play catch up the whole book. That was most likely due to the fact that it was the second book in the series and it obviously built on what had happened in the first. I would not say it was a stand alone book by any means. I would probably have enjoyed it much more if I had read the first book. Now the book was well written and the plot line was good. It was well researched and very believable. My only real complaint was my lack of connection with the characters which would probably be fixed by reading the first book. The book was bitter sweet. If you read the book to the end you will find that it is wonderful in giving you a new perspective on the age old question why does God allow bad things to happen to good people. It clearly advertises the redemptive power of Christ and gives a clear message that no matter what happens we can trust in Him and that He always has a plan. I loved the message behind the book and give it a big thumbs up for that. I would recommend this book with the caveat that you read the first book before you read this. All in all I enjoyed the book fairly well. I have read this author before and enjoyed her writing. I received this book in exchange for my honest review through the blogging for books review program. You can download the first chapter of this book here for free. You can find out more about the author and her other books here. 

Review of Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin

Today I have another book review, Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin.
                             
Back Cover Synopsis:
In a time of sacrifice, what price can one put on true love?
Nothing slows Lillian Avery down--not her personal challenges and certainly not America's entry into World War II. She finally has a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The demands of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg's attentions only annoy--even if he is her brother's best friend. 

     During the darkest days of the war, Arch's destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves--and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions Lillian has been filling? 
      As the danger rises on both land and sea, the two must work together to answer that question. But can Arch ever earn Lillian's trust and affection? 

About the Author:  

   Sarah Sundin is the award-winning author of the Wings of Glory and Wings of the Nightingale series, as well as Through Waters Deep. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Airforce in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. Learn more at www.sarahsundin.com. 

My thoughts:

        I had never read a book by Sarah Sundin before so I didn't know what to expect, but I loved this book. She is a phenomenal writer. I will definitely be looking for more of her books. Her characters had depth to them and grew throughout the story. The plot was well written and unfolded naturally. Some stories are drowning in romance and just too sticky sweet to read. I have never been a fan of those books. This book was not like that in the least. It had romance in it but just enough to add some flavor and round it out. It had enough mystery, suspense, action, and history in it to make the romance a nice addition. Anchor in the Storm was a pretty clean book with definite Christian themes and Scripture throughout. There is a murder in the book and the climax of the story is a bit tense, but overall it's not bad. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to adults and older teens. Any book that was labeled romance was off limits to me without my parents review and permission until I was an older teen, that's why I usually recommend most books with romance or thematic elements to older teens and adults. I received this book in exchange for my honest review as part of the Revell Reads blogger review program. 

Youth Retreat and keeping busy

By the time we all got over being sick youth retreat had rolled around. I wasn't planning on going originally but Ruthie volunteered to keep the kids for me and mom wasn't able to go and she asked me to go and look out for Francie. So I got to go! I loved it.
        When you have little ones who need so much attention and help and your husband is deployed you can get so drained and exhausted so quickly. There is no break because you are the only one there. Hunter has gotten to be such a handful lately and no matter how much training I do something is missing and that's his Daddy. He needs a man. He does really well with Papa and his uncle's but they don't live with us. He listens ok but he seems to be constantly testing the limits. I have to be on him all the time. It wears me out. Youth retreat was a nice break for me. My only responsibility was leading worship a couple times and keeping a general eye on Francie. It was so refreshing to be able to pray without having to keep an eye and ear open for kid's getting in trouble and to not have anything to do other than spend time with Jesus and fellowship with young people.
      Sometimes I feel so old and wore out that I forget that I'm still a part of the youth group. It's hard to participate when everything is scheduled during nap time or you can't bring your little ones. It was nice to visit with some other young people around my age with little kids and realize that I'm not the only one. It's nice to be able to talk and visit with people in the same stage of life as you are. Then it's nice to be able to encourage some of the younger ones as well. I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend and came home feeling spiritually, emotionally, and mentally refreshed if a bit physically tired. I'm so glad I was able to go. It was just what I needed.
       Since then I have been staying busy with house work, chasing kids, and straining my eyes over the church books.
        Sunday was Mother's day. I got a little basket with candy and flower seeds in it from church. Beau didn't have internet connection last week so I didn't get anything from him or the kids this year. He normally spoils me but I knew he wouldn't be able to this year so didn't expect anything.
    We went out with the family after church to the Chinese restaurant and Austin came along with us. I think he was feeling a little lonely being so far from his family. He's getting married pretty soon. We are going to have a pre wedding reception for him and Claudia next Sunday. He said we couldn't call it a shower because  Brother Dustin Hays wouldn't like it. LOL
     Anyway that's about it other than a trip down to Orlando for a military family event last Saturday and then dinner with Josh and Sissy afterwards at Chikfila. We had a good time. And got some info on some different things. We are steadily getting closer to the end of this deployment though we still have a little ways to go.

Review of Miriam by Mesu Andrews

This blog post is a review of Miriam by Mesu Andrews.

Back cover synopsis:

               The Hebrews call me prophetess, the Egyptians a seer.
But I am neither. I am simply a watcher of Israel 
and the messenger of El Shaddai.
When He speaks to me in dreams, I interpret. When He whispers a melody, I sing.

At eighty-six, Miriam had devoted her entire life to loving El Shaddai and serving His people as both midwife and messenger. Yet when her brother Moses returns to Egypt from exile, he brings a disruptive message. God has a new name – Yahweh – and has declared a radical deliverance for the Israelites.

 Miriam and her beloved family face an impossible choice: cling to familiar bondage or embrace uncharted freedom at an unimaginable cost. Even if the Hebrews survive the plagues set to turn the Nile to blood and unleash a maelstrom of frogs and locusts, can they weather the resulting fury of the Pharaoh?

Enter an exotic land where a cruel Pharaoh reigns, pagan priests wield black arts, and the Israelites cry out to a God they only think they know.

About the Author:
             Mesu Andrews is the award-winning author of Love Amid the Ashes and numerous other novels including The Pharaoh’s Daughter. Her deep understanding of–and love for– God’s Word brings the biblical world alive for readers. Mesu lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband Roy and enjoys traveling to visit her growing tribe of grandchildren.

My thoughts: 
              I have a few authors that I really enjoy reading. Mesu Andrews is one of them. So when I got the chance to review her latest book I jumped at it. Miriam more than met my high expectations. It is well written. The characters are believable and the story is interesting. Miriam is a glimpse into what the life of Miriam, Moses sister, might have been like. It gave me a new perspective on what it may have been like to live in Goshen during the ten plagues. It is fiction but it is well researched and a believable posibility of the time period aND events. Miriam is the second book in the Treasures of the Nile series. The first book is Pharaoh’s Daughter but they are stand alone books. I really enjoyed reading this book. Mesu Andrews is quickly becoming one of my must read authors. I would recommend this book to teens and adults. You can visit the authors website here. If you read about the book on her website you will find a link to download the first chapter for free. I received this book from blogging for books in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review of The Magnolia Duchess by Beth White

This blog post is a review of The Magnolia Duchess by Beth White. This is the third  book in the Gulf Coast Chronicles series.

Back cover synopsis:

              As the War of 1812 rages across the newly formed United States, another war rages in Fiona Lanier's heart--one that threatens to tear her family apart.

Fiona can scarcely take in the news of her brother's capture and imprisonment by the British Navy. It is almost as unbelievable as the half-drowned British sailor who is washed ashore on the beach of Navy Cove.

Charlie Kincaid claims to have no memory of his life before being discovered by Fiona, but in a world that seems saturated with treachery, she cannot be sure he is telling the truth.
As Charlie's memory returns in agonizing jags and crashes, he and Fiona discover that falling in love may be as inevitable as the tide. But when political allegiances collide, they'll each have to decide where their true loyalty lies.

About the Author:

             Beth White's day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. A native Mississippian, she writes historical romance with a Southern drawl and is the author of The Pelican Bride andThe Creole Princess. Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers' Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award. Learn more at www.bethwhite.net.

My thoughts: 
        The Magnolia Duchess was an entertaining read. It is the third book in the Gulf Coast Chronicles series but can easily be read as a stand alone book. This book sets a love story against the backdrop of the War of 1812. It combines history, suspense, drama, humor, and romance quite nicely into a nice, clean, entertaining, read with definite christian overtones. The characters seemed fairly relatable and they developed and grew throughout the story. At times I did have to focus on the story instead of being naturally drawn in but over all it kept my interest fairly well. It is a christian romance novel but had enough meat to the story to avoid being too fluffy. I would say that I enjoyed this book and recommend it to older teens and adults. I received this book in exchange for my honest review as part of the Revell Reads blogger review program. 

Review of Counted with the Stars by Connilyn Cossette

This blog post is a review of Counted with the Stars by Connilyn Cossette.

Back cover synopsis: 

         "Sold into slavery by her father and forsaken by the man she was supposed to marry, young Egyptian Kiya must serve a mistress who takes pleasure in her humiliation. When terrifying plagues strike Egypt, Kiya is in the middle of it all.

          Choosing to flee with the Hebrews, Kiya finds herself reliant on a strange God and drawn to a man who despises her people. With everything she's ever known swept away and now facing the trials of the desert, will she turn back toward Egypt or surrender her life and her future to Yahweh?" 

About the Author: 

         When she is not homeschooling her two sweet kids (with a full pot of coffee at hand), Connilyn Cossette is scribbling notes on spare paper, mumbling about her imaginary friends, and reading obscure, out of print history books. There is nothing she likes better than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible and uncovering buried gems of grace that point toward Jesus. Although a pacific northwest native, she now lives near Dallas, Texas. Counted with the Stars is her first novel. Connect with her at www.connilyncossette.com.

My thoughts:  

        Counted with the Stars is the first book in a series called Out From Egypt by Connilyn Cossette. It is the only book in the series that has been released. I really enjoyed this book. Kiya is a young Egyptian girl who was raised in luxury, when her family falls on hard times she is sold into slavery to cover their debts. She is often ridiculed and mistreated by her jealous mistress. She is befriended by a young Hebrew girl named Shira who tells her about Yahweh. As they go through the plagues, circumstances dictate that Kiya and her family leave Egypt with the Hebrews. As they experience the early part of the Exodus Kiya comes to a turning point, will she choose to put her faith in Yahweh or will she turn back to Egypt. Counted with the Stars really made the ten plagues and the exodus come alive in my mind. It was very well written and the characters were realistic and relatable. This is a story that grabs your interest from the beginning and holds it until the end. If you enjoy Biblical fiction you will like this book. I would recommend Counted with the Stars to older teens and adults. Connilyn Cossette is definitely on my watch list and I am looking forward to reading more from her in the future.  Another plus, she is a homeschool mom!

     I received this book in exchange for my honest review as part of the Bethany House blogger review program. 

      

Playing Catch Up

Wow I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. I have been super busy and gotten way behind. The last time I posted was Josh and Brittany's wedding and that has been a month ago now. The time has flown by pretty quickly.
    So when we got home from the wedding we got unpacked and settled back into every day busy life. The week after the wedding we started getting our supplies together for a strawberry picking field trip that we had planned. We went to 4 different stores before we finally found the mason jars and fruit pectin we needed. It seems that other people had the same idea we did because they were sold out in the first 3 places we looked. The following Monday Francie and I made a big family birthday dinner for mom. Josh and Brittany came up and we were all able to sit down for a nice family dinner together, we missed having Beau there and are all looking forward to having him home again. We grilled chicken and made a big salad, homemade rolls, and baked potatoes with a big strawberry shortcake for dessert made with homemade angel food cake. Yummy. The next day Noah, Ruthie, Abby, the kids, and I set out on a grand strawberry picking adventure. We had a blast! We ended up picking about 49 lbs of strawberries. Then we headed back to mom's and got started on putting them up. We made 27 1/2 pints of strawberry jam, ate countless strawberries, and put some in the freezer. A very productive day and fun field trip and home ec project!

 Just a few of the strawberries we picked.

               Strawberry jam cooking up.

                         Canning our jam.

             Part of our finished product.

     That Saturday the 26th was our 5th anniversary and Beau did his best to make up for the many miles separating us by spoiling me rotten. He really got into it this year and looked up traditional 5th year anniversary gift and flowers. Wood is the 5th year anniversary gift so he got me a wooden picture frame and two wooden plaques then he sent me a flower arrangement with daisies, the 5th year anniversary flower, in a wooden wicker basket. He outdid himself. He acts like Mr. macho man but he is so sweet and thoughtful and romantic to me. I love him so much and am so grateful to God for putting us together. I'm so glad that we trusted God with our love life and let Him write our love story because He did a much better job than I could ever have done. That day I stayed pretty busy cooking for the church dinner the next day. Then went out for dinner with Courtney and she stayed the night. It was nice it kept me from getting too lonely on our anniversary. The special days can be really hard.
        The next day was Resurrection Sunday. We had a full day. We had Sunday School and morning worship, then we had a dinner, then we stayed for the Spanish service and visited with them for a bit then we had devotional, and then we ate leftovers for dinner. Very busy day but lots of fun.
      The following weekend was the permanency of marriage convention. That was interesting we were able to make a lot of contacts for the church through that. Mom and Dad were in charge of the music and Dad, Nate, and Brother Clarkson preached at it. The church was well represented and hopefully we will see some results from it.
       The next weekend the kids and I went over to visit Bri and little Noah. We had a good time together. We were really brave and took the kids over to the gulf one day. We went to a state park that is usually pretty quiet and that has natural rock formations that form a shallow pool and blocks out the rough waves and keeps sharks out. It was nice until a cold front came in and the wind started to freeze us. We bundled the kids up and got them dried off and cleaned up. We drove around and let the kids nap then went to a yummy local restaurant for dinner. It was good. Unfortunately that cold front that blew in gave us all a cold and the kids fared the worst of it. We had to cancel our plans for the next day and instead spent a quiet day visiting. We came home late Sunday night.
       The kids seemed to be feeling better so we went out to church on Wednesday but it was too much and Hunter started running a fever and throwing up that night. We have been fighting the stuff ever since and still have the cough but thankfully seemed to be done with the rest of it. Rachel's 4th birthday was Sunday but she was a sick little girl so we are going to do something tonight after church instead. Well I am finally caught up for now. I have another review to do later. I have been able to get some nice books by doing the reviews.
      Please pray for my grandfather. My Pappaw Baldwin had a heart attack last week and they found out that his kidneys were functioning at less than 20% and his heart was functioning at 20%. The family was told that there wasn't much that they could do because of how bad it is. He seemed to improve and feel better and was stable so he was released Monday night to a nursing home for recovery. This morning about 7:30 he had another heart episode and was rushed back to the hospital. Please keep him in your prayers.

Review of "A Powerful Secret"

This blog post is a review of "A Powerful Secret " book two of The Worthington Destiny series by Dr. Kevin Leman and Jeff Nesbit.

Back Cover Synopsis:

Sean has always felt like an outsider in his own family.
Now he must risk never achieving what he wants most--his father's love.

Billionaire globe-trotter Sean Worthington is stunned when his older brother suddenly abandons the Senate race in New York and walks away without a backward glance. As campaign manager, Sean's left to handle the media feeding frenzy with no answers. Worse, their father--as usual--backs Will, the "perfect" son.

Frustrated by his father's lack of belief in him, Sean determines to finally move on and forge a unique path. But when a powerful secret is revealed, threatening everything Sean has counted on, he must wrestle with shocking truths . . . and combat the power brokers behind the scenes who have the Worthington family in their crosshairs.

About the Authors:

Dr. Kevin Leman, the New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 books, including The Birth Order Book and Born to Win, has made thousands of house calls for Fox & Friends, The View, Today, Morning in America, CBS's The Early Show, The 700 Club, CNN, and Good Morning America.

Jeff Nesbit, a former senior communications official at the White House and former director of public affairs for two prominent federal science agencies, is a strategic communications advisor and the author of 25 novels. The executive director of Climate Nexus, he also writes At the Edge, a weekly column for U.S. News & World Report.

My thoughts:

Although A Powerful Secret is book number 2 in the Worthington Destiny series it was an enjoyable read on its own. I didn't realize that there had been a previous book until after I finished reading it because it did such a terrific job of catching you up. This book is a political mystery, thriller,  with a dash of romance thrown in. I found it quite entertaining though at times it got a bit slow. All in all I enjoyed the book. Sean Worthington is the proverbial middle child. He is always longing for the approval of his father and finds it hard to fit into his family though he loves them very much. Just when he thinks he is on the verge of gaining his father's approval his brother shocks him and destroys his chance by dropping our of a Senate race. Sean is confused and hurt most of all by his brother's refusal to tell him why. As you read through the book you find that the mystery goes deeper than you realized. I enjoyed the different characters in the story and found myself relating to their struggles. Sean grows throughout the book. He begins as an evolutionist and by the end of the book has realized that God is the Creator. While he has no definite experience in this book you are left with the impression that he is seeking to know and follow God by the end of the book. The intrigue was exciting and the story line entertaining. I hope to read book number when it comes out. I would recommend this book to older teens and adults. It is a clean christian fiction book but has a couple elements some of which I don't want to get into because I don't want to spoil the book. There is some talk of millions of years etc by the main character as he comes from the place of being an evolutionist at the beginning of the book. All in all a clean entertaining book if you like political intrigue. I received this book in exchange for my honest review as part of the Revell Reads blogger review program. 

Review of "Annabel Lee" A Coffey and Hill Novel

This blog post is a review of Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa.

Back cover synopsis:  

Fourteen miles east of Peachtree, Alabama, a secret is hidden.
The secret's name is Annabel Lee.
She doesn't know why her enigmatic uncle has stowed her deep underground in a military-style bunker. He's left her with a few German words, a barely controlled guard dog, and a single command: "Don't open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me."

Miles away in Atlanta, private investigator Trudi Coffey is visited by a mysterious older man calling himself Dr. Smith. He's been trailing a man for a decade--a man she met through her ex-partner Samuel Hill--and the trail has led him to her office. The last thing Trudi wants to do is to contact Samuel. But it will take both of them to unravel this mystery--before it's too late.

Praise for Annabel Lee:
"A fast-paced thriller filled with unexpected twists and peopled by unique and memorable characters. From the first chapter on, I found it impossible to put down."--Lois Duncan, New York Times bestselling author, I Know What You Did Last Summer and Killing Mr. Griffin

"Annabel Lee is compelling, fast-paced, and filled with fascinating characters. One hopes that Mike Nappa's eleven-year-old wunderkind from the title will reappear in future novels of this promising new suspense series!"--M. K. Preston, Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning novelist, Song of the Bones and Perhaps She'll Die

"A relentless surge of suspense and mounting tension coupled with an engaging mix of characters. WithAnnabel Lee, Mike Nappa skillfully sets the stage for a compelling series of Coffey & Hill thrillers."--Jack Cavanaugh, award-winning author of twenty-six novels

About the Author:
Mike Nappa is an entertainment journalist at FamilyFans.com, as well as a bestselling and award-winning author with more than one million books sold worldwide. When he was a kid, the stories of Edgar Allen Poe scared him silly. Today he owns everything Poe ever wrote. A former fiction acquisitions editor, Mike earned his MA in English literature and now writes full

Fourteen miles east of Peachtree, Alabama, a secret is hidden.
The secret's name is Annabel Lee.
She doesn't know why her enigmatic uncle has stowed her deep underground in a military-style bunker. He's left her with a few German words, a barely controlled guard dog, and a single command: "Don't open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me."

Miles away in Atlanta, private investigator Trudi Coffey is visited by a mysterious older man calling himself Dr. Smith. He's been trailing a man for a decade--a man she met through her ex-partner Samuel Hill--and the trail has led him to her office. The last thing Trudi wants to do is to contact Samuel. But it will take both of them to unravel this mystery--before it's too late.


"A fast-paced thriller filled with unexpected twists and peopled by unique and memorable characters. From the first chapter on, I found it impossible to put down."--Lois Duncan, New York Times bestselling author, I Know What You Did Last Summer and Killing Mr. Griffin

"Annabel Lee is compelling, fast-paced, and filled with fascinating characters. One hopes that Mike Nappa's eleven-year-old wunderkind from the title will reappear in future novels of this promising new suspense series!"--M. K. Preston, Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning novelist, Song of the Bones and Perhaps She'll Die

"A relentless surge of suspense and mounting tension coupled with an engaging mix of characters. WithAnnabel Lee, Mike Nappa skillfully sets the stage for a compelling series of Coffey & Hill thrillers."--Jack Cavanaugh, award-winning author of twenty-six novels


Mike Nappa is an entertainment journalist at FamilyFans.com, as well as a bestselling and award-winning author with more than one million books sold worldwide. When he was a kid, the stories of Edgar Allen Poe scared him silly. Today he owns everything Poe ever wrote. A former fiction acquisitions editor, Mike earned his MA in English literature and now writes full time.

My thoughts: 

When I first saw the book I wasn't sure how I would like it, but decided to take a chance because the back cover sounded interesting, I am glad I did. Annabel Lee grabbed you and kept your interest from the beginning all the way to the end. It was a very engaging, enjoyable, story. It is a christian story so it is pretty clean which is a major plus for me. The characters were entertaining and really seemed to come to life. This book is is very well rounded and has hints of mystery, suspense, romance, faith, and even a dab of poetry. Annabel Lee is a page turner and hard to put down. I loved this book. There are a few thematic adult elements (violence, the private investigators are  a divorced couple who split in part due to infidelity, and a couple other issues) but in general I would recommend this book to adults and older teens. It was much better than I expected and I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I will be passing it on to friends who like similar stories. 

I received this book in exchange for my honest review through the Revell Reads blogger review program.