Your Journey Starts Here

You cannot go wrong with a book by Laura Frantz. Take a step back in time to 1754 and the rugged coast of Nova Scotia where you will be introduced to the Acadian family and Sylvie Galent. Her family is caught between the English and French, her families land, Acadia has been a source of conflict since it was founded in 1604, the author has captured what it means to be a displaced Acadian. I thoughly enjoyed reading about the family lifestyle and their traditions.

Love, loss, trust and new beginnings are the central theme woven throughout the story. This is a great story of people realizing that they could not hold too tight to the past but needed to move forward. They understood God was with them.

I love historical fiction and I know you will too.

I received a copy of the book from Revell for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

What a wonderful way to conclude the series. Lily had previously visited Pinecraft, Florida and fell in love with the small town. There her plan is to work as a maid and enjoy her new friends that she made on previous visits.

She meets a boy, named Eddie who is also in Pinecraft, visiting his grandma. Eddie meets Lily and sees a future with her. Lily needs to make a quick decision on whether she wants to live in Pinecraft and will she be content.

I have visited Pinecraft, Florida and love the small-town feel, a must visit for those who are visiting Florida.

I received a copy from Revell Reads in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.”—John Muir, The Yosemite, 1912

Whether you’re a hiker, a history buff, or a reader who travels vicariously, Life Lessons from the National Parks takes you on a four-season tour through over forty of America’s most glorious places in the National Park Service reflecting God, who superintends each one.

The book chronicles remarkable lands, events, and people, which Penny Musco brings to life with first-hand experiences, inspirational anecdotes, and Scripture, as well as providing tips for your own visits.

Life Lessons from the National Parks is endorsed by Michael J. Oard, co-author of the True North National Park series, and by Cecil Murphey, author or co-author of more than 130 books, including Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story and 90 Minutes in Heaven with Don Piper.

Ready to buy your own copy? Click here. 

My Review

As a person who loves spending time in the outdoors, hiking, longing to be with God and all He’s created then you should read “Life Lessons from the National Parks: Meeting God in America’s Most Glorious Places” which takes you to our National Parks, will inspire you to take a closer look at God’s nature and what he created for all of us to love.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Get to know the author: Penny Musco

Penny Musco is a freelance writer with clips in both the Christian and secular markets, and author of the award-winning Life Lessons from the National Parks: Meeting God in America’s Most Glorious Places.

In 2009, she was an Artist-in-Residence for the National Park Service, and presented programs about the parks in libraries and senior communities.

Against the Wind, by Amanda Cabot is the second book in the Sweetwater Crossing Series tells the story of Louise Vaugh, doctor in training. Louise returns to the small to help a friend and plans on just staying a few days that is until she finds an injured man whose been thrown off his horse. Josh, a businessman from New York is trying to gain control of his family business. Both Louise and Josh have something to prove, can they work together?
I love Amanda’s stories that pull you in from page one and leave you longing for the next installment in the series.
I received a copy of the book from Revell Reads in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Another well written and enjoyable story set in Stoney Ridge, an Amish community. Lost and Found is about family, love and forgiveness. Another masterpiece where we find some of my favorite characters from Stoney Ridge, yet this story can be read as a standalone.
Lost and Found is a story about love, redemption, second changes and blessings that life in the Amish community can offer.
Trudy Yoder and Micah Weaver, the main characters are avid birdwatchers in Stoney Ridge. Their love of birds has Micah working as a guide helping others who want to learn and identify different birds.
I enjoyed the story and catching up with characters from the previous two books especially Hank and his fainting goats.
I received a copy of the book from Revell in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

On Moonberry Lake, written by Holly Varni, is a story about Cora Matthews whose mother died unexpectedly. Their relationship was not close and after a broken engagement, she is surprised to find out her inheritance that a lodge that needed desperate repair on Moonberry Lake.
As part of Cora’s inheritance, she is required to live at the lodge for a year while restoring it. She meets her neighbors, Ben, the local dentist, and Kitty, who is a caretaker of the cemetery across from the lodge and of course Widgy an all-around repair woman who had a tough shell to crack, but a huge heart. A story that shows one can move past hardship with the strength of a community behind them.
There were a few instances of New Age statements that I did not agree with but saw that as part of the story.
I received a copy of the book from Revell in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Genre: Women’s Christian Fiction

Based on a true story, Under Authority is Kate Elliot’s unusual account of what took place at Cross Independent Baptist Church in New England during her childhood and teen years. The pastor, Rhuttland Abbott—or the Reverend, as people referred to him—believed he had been placed behind the pulpit directly by God. To question him was to question God, resulting in swift church discipline. Those unwilling to comply with his self-imposed rules and regulations would face severe, cruel, and unreasonable penalties.

Kate finally escapes this vindictive environment and builds a new life in a new city. But after twenty years of running, she finds herself back in her hometown facing the ghosts of her past and the ongoing pain from harsh sermons, shocking incidents, and the fate of those who did not obey the Reverend—including several deaths.

Will Kate continue to run or will she find a way to overcome her fear and the far-reaching fingers of the Reverend’s authority?

Ready to buy your own copy? Click here. 

My Review

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(My star ratings: 5-Fantastic book; 4-I really enjoyed it; 3-I finished it but wouldn’t read again; 2-I didn’t like it or I didn’t finish; 1-I hate it.)

Get to know the author: Kimalee Finelli

Residing in sunny South Carolina, Kimalee Finelli has studied with the Long Ridge Writer’s Group, has written articles, short stories, and Under Authority is her first novel. While away from her computer, Kimalee is a devoted wife, mother, and preschool assistant. She also enjoys hiking near waterfalls, pets, coffee, books, movies, and quaint towns.

My Review: An excellent story of grace.

Beauty from ashes. Under Authority shows how grace and hope can emerge from fears that are caused by spiritual abuse and how the main character dealt with the pain. The story shows how a minister who abused his power of authority, took control of families by misusing scripture to fit his own needs.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publishers. My comments are an independent and honest review.

“Everything God makes has value, whether we choose to see it or not.” I have read each of Katie Powner’s books and loved each one of them. The way she brings her characters to life, its as if you’re part of their story. The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass takes place in a small, rural town in Montana that holds a promise of second chances for Pete Ryman who has settled down Pearl, a potbelly pig, Wilma Jackson, a widow and Pete’s younger sister and her son whom he has not seen in a long time a story of foster care, bullying, and everyday struggles, where we walk through their journey with them. A book that will be with you long after you turn the last page.

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

A beautiful story of forgiveness, friendship and moving forward. A book that will be with you long after you turn the last page. I highly recommend all of Katie’s books. I am looking forward to the next one.

“How could the man she trusted with her todays and tomorrows have left things so unsettled and uncertain? ‘If anything ever happens to me, tell the bees,’ he’d often said. ‘They need to know or they’ll die too.’”

Where to start? I absolutely love all of Amanda’s books and this one met every expectation and more! There are a few books that stay with you forever and this was one of them. I read the entire book in one sitting. Yes, Jesus can bring healing from broken places. Run and get yourself a copy of the book!

A story of compassion, courage, trust, and a family broken apart by wrong choices and illness, but with God all things are possible.

I highly recommend He Should Have Told the Bees.

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Hope Toler Dougherty is a new author to me and will be reading her other books. Forever Home is one of those stories that you can pull you in from the start and simply enjoy the book. This is the third book in the Forever Series but can be read as a standalone. Sam reminds me of myself, jump all in and figure it out later. I sometime think this is the better way to do things. But I am also a bit like Merritt who strives for structure and organization. This proves that opposites do attract.

If you’re looking for a feel-good story this one is for you. I highly recommend the book.

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Summer in the Spotlight by Liz Johnson is the third book in the Prince Edward Island Shores series. I fell in love with the characters at the start of the series and it was good to catch up with Kelsey and Levi and their family.

When a hurricane came through Prince Edward Island, not only did it create a mess, but Kelsey finds herself without a job. Determined to restore the playhouse where she grew up alongside her grandmother preforming. Yet she finds an ally in Levi, the janitor.

Levi has a heart of gold and a quiet strength. After the hurricane Kelsey was determined to raise the necessary funds to rebuild the playhouse. A beautiful story of courage, determination, faith, and love. If you’re ready to pack your bags for Prince Edward Island this book is for you. If you need a heartwarming story which will steal your heart this book is for you. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of the book from Revell Reads in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

In Letters from My Sister, the main character Callie has a head injury and finds herself unable to remember what happened. The story tells of her journey to remember while she handles a tragedy.

I struggled reading the book and the visions and seers, odd for me since this was a Christian fiction book and did not care for the theme. It took a bit for me to follow the storyline.

I loved the relationship between the two sisters, Callie and Emmy and how they loved and supported each other. Each sister should strive to have that relationship with their other half.

I received a copy of the book from Revell Reads. All opinions are my own.

Susie Finkbeiner knocked this story out of the park with a home run, cracker jacks and hot dogs. You will want to add to your TBR (to be read) pile. An incredible story of growing up in the 1950’s baseball and family dynamics. A story about a family who faces financial ruin and threats.

Flossie reminded me of my preteen childhood with zero filter and a lot of curiosity. Each chapter is told from her point of view. A complete bookworm who struggles to find friends who appreciate her wit. She has a loving relationship with her dad who is a famous author.

Bertha’s classmates dream of marrying and dating, but she loves baseball. She writes a letter to a famous pitcher for the Sweet Peas, an all-American Softball team. When her friend Leo begins to take interest in her, she begins to think about her first love.

A coming-of-age story, two sisters, their dreams, and disappointments. A story of when life was simpler, and families stayed together through thick and thin. I loved the spiritual undertone of the book.

This Is Where it Ends by Cindy K. Sproles is a story about finding friends in unlikely places. It is a story about Minerva Jenkins, a 94-year-old widow living in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky in 1902. When she was 14 years old, she was married to a man who made a quick decision to move her to the mountains. Upon his death bed, he made Minerva promise to never reveal the secret of a box that was supposed to contain a treasure, living an isolated life on the mountain. Her prayers were that she does not die alone, one day Del Rankin, a newspaper reporter showed up on her front porch inquiring about a rumor that the box contained gold. Del is hoping that she will tell him the secret. In return, an incredible, but unique relationship/friendship develops between both as they uncover secrets that will change both of their lives.

The author touched on how hard relationships can be. “Blood does not make a relationship. Kindness, caring, love make a family. You don’t have to be blood to be a perfect fit.”

There are not enough words to describe how much the story meant to me. We all need a Minerva in our lives, as He works through us healing wounds. As I was reading the story, I felt anger, betrayal, but also God’s grace and love. I highly recommend the book, pull up a chair and make sure you have a box of tissues.

I received an advanced reader copy from Revell Reads in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinion’s are my own.

With Every Memory tells the story of Lori Mendenhall, a woman who was in a car accident with her family that killed her teenage son and left her with a traumatic brain injury which resulted in eight years of memory loss. The family has suffered a tragic loss and they are trying to put the pieces back together. How does a family go through the loss of a loved one, deal with infidelity, grief, and secrets from the past?  With Every Memory is a story of how forgiveness heals wounds if you let it. I would have liked to of seen more of a focus on relationships with God and how He helped heal all affected.

I received a copy of the book from Revell Reads in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinion’s are my own.