Thursday, September 14, 2023

Where Love is Planted: A Meriside Romance Book 1 by Dawn Kinzer

 

Here is the book summary:

She’s bound to past promises.
He’s captive to future goals.
Will their loyalty to others cost them their own happiness?
Or will something beautiful grow where love is planted?

Two years have passed since a tragedy changed Beth Miller’s life forever. Since her father’s and brother’s unexpected deaths, Beth has put her future as a licensed horticultural therapist on hold. The garden center and floral shop that her mom and sister love is struggling. And her young brother’s widow is still trying to find her way. Beth’s devotion puts her family’s needs first.

To further his career and atone for his own tainted past, Tyler Sharp accepts a position as a social worker at a women’s prison. The facility is located near his great-aunt in the small port town of Meriside, Washington. While he’s intrigued with the woman living in the studio apartment behind his aunt’s home, as soon as he can return to Colorado, he and his best friend will initiate a program there for at-risk-kids.

As secrets are exposed and hearts soften, their growing feelings for each other bring new challenges. Will Beth complete a necessary internship if it means helping the person who caused her loved ones so much pain? And if she’s unwilling to leave her family, and Tyler will never intentionally disappoint his loyal buddy in Colorado, how could they ever hope to create a life together?

Join Beth and Tyler in the Pacific Northwest as they explore what it means to sacrifice, hope for the future, and experience miracles where love is planted.

And now, my review:

This book drew me right in and I found it hard to put down.  The story flowed so well.  The characters were exciting to follow and believable.  I loved how she brought in an unexpected plot location and tied it to horticulture.  Along with the romance, the strong family devotion rang loud and clear for me.  I encourage you to get your hands on this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book without any requirement to write a positive review.  All comments are my own.   

https://www.amazon.com/Where-Love-Planted-Meriside-Romances-ebook/dp/B0CDSV4JVS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LK8D36VR8GY1&keywords=where+love+is+planted&qid=1694738126&sprefix=where+love+is+plante%2Caps%2C257&sr=8-1

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Giving Your Words by Sally and Clay Clarkson

 

Here is the book review:

Shaping the hearts, minds, and souls of your children starts with your words.

As a parent, your heart's desire is to guide your children to love and follow God. Yet so many voices are offering help and advice. Whose voice should shape your children?

Sally and Clay Clarkson suggest the answer is as simple as it is powerful: yours. They will show you how to use your own words to shape your child's life for Christ.

The biblical principles and wisdom they offer, drawn from their years of raising four children and mentoring parents worldwide, will equip you as a word-giving parent.

Start here to gain confidence to personally and intentionally cultivate a verbal home, one filled with words of faith formation and spiritual nurture.

Then, when your children "take your words for it," they will hear God's voice.

And now, my review:

I really enjoy this author and have read other books by her.  This book gave me just what I was looking for which was encouragement in the importance of my words as a parent.  She pulls from the Bible which is the best foundation to build from.  I have the power in my words to build someone up or tear them down and this goes especially for my children.  If you’re looking for this too, you’ve found the right book and the right author. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Your-Words-Lifegiving-Formation/dp/0764235923/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1669753793&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/giving-lifegiving-verbal-family-faith-formation/sally-clarkson/9780764235924/pd/235924?product_redirect=1&search_term=Giving%20Your%20Words&Ntt=235924&item_code=&ps_exit=PRODUCT|legacy&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/giving-your-words-sally-clarkson/1141012100?ean=9780764235924


Tuesday, February 15, 2022

With a Trusting Heart by Dawn Kinzer

Here is the book summary:

Will trust be the winning ticket to mending two wounded hearts? 

The 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition is taking place in Seattle with participants from all over the world when Lizzie Clark accepts a position at an orphanage in the city. After suffering heartbreak and loss, she is determined to make a life for herself independently.

Jack Butler’s mother abandoned their family when he was a young boy. Loyalty to his father cost him fulfilling his own aspirations, so Jack strives to take their family farm in a new direction.

A newborn is left at the orphanage with a note asking Lizzie to take care of him. Why did the woman abandon her child? And why is Jack, a handsome local farmer so interested in helping Lizzie search for the infant’s mother?

When shocking revelations disrupt their plans, Lizzie and Jack are faced with life-changing decisions. Will they open their hearts to trusting again? 

This story was inspired by events that took place at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo—Seattle’s first world’s fair.

And now, my review:

I found With a Trusting Heart by Dawn Kinzer to be a swift and pleasurable read. It was based on a long-ago time and she really put feet to the atmosphere of this historical event.  There are things that happened back in the day that truly saddens me to read about.  Raffling away of precious life is a heartbreaking scenario. The love between the two main characters quickly developed. The romance was fun to watch unfold. All of the characters in this story were very believable. 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Trusting-Heart-Dawn-Kinzer-ebook/dp/B09PJTH1HV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1A38XVRQOAKVH&keywords=with+a+trusting+heart+by+dawn+kinzer&qid=1644970230&sprefix=with+a+trusting+%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1


Thursday, December 16, 2021

Behind Love's Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels

 

Here is the book summary:

The Grand Hotel Slowly Reveals Her Secrets
 
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Two successful women, a hundred-and-twenty-years apart, build walls to protect their hearts. Modern-day Willa, a successful interior decorator, is chosen to go to Mackinac Island and consult for the Grand Hotel’s possible redesign. During work on a room, she discovers a journal detailing the struggles of a young woman, Lily—which reveals dark secrets. The renowned singer wasn’t who she pretended to be.
 
As Willa reaches out to Lily’s descendant, a charismatic and prominent landscape artist, she lets down her guard. Should she share the journal with him—revealing hidden history—or once again erect a wall as she struggles to redesign both the Grand and her life?
 
CARRIE FANCETT PAGELS, Ph.D., awarding-winning author of over twenty Christian fiction books, is a former psychologist of 25 years and enjoys spending her summers at the Straits of Mackinac, where this story is set.

And now, my review:

As I am a girl from Michigan, I so enjoyed this read.  The trials, twists, and turns that the author had the characters go on were exciting to watch unfold.  The scenery was exciting to read about as I’m familiar with the area. I felt that this author kept me interested and drew me in. If you’re looking for an exciting read set to the setting of a small island in the mitten then this might just be the book for you to pick up.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Loves-Wall-Doors-Past-ebook/dp/B097NX9HBL/ref=sr_1_2?crid=AR1WD35MIBNG&keywords=behind+love%27s+wall+by+carrie+fancett+pagels&qid=1639700635&sprefix=Behind+love%27s+wall%2Caps%2C366&sr=8-2

https://www.christianbook.com/behind-loves-wall-carrie-pagels/9781636090696/pd/090696?event=ESRCN

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/behind-loves-wall-carrie-fancett-pagels/1138837903?ean=9781636090696


The Extraordinary Power of Praise by Becky Harling

Here is the book summary:

When stress abounds, soothe your anxious heart with peace and praise.

From constant waves of negative news to meeting family, career, and community needs, women today often feel more anxious than ever. Amidst the clamor of the world and the internal longings for peace, our overwhelming need is for more of God’s extraordinary presence, peace, and power in our lives.

Join Becky Harling for a 6-week study that looks to Psalm 94:19: “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy!” The Extraordinary Power of Praise will help you put into practice the two-step process for soothing an anxious heart: finding joy to replace anxiety and learning to pour out our hearts to God in praise. Each day includes a study of a Psalm, thought provoking questions, and short morning and evening prayers. You’ll also find suggested praise songs and prayer journaling prompts to help you engage more deeply with God. As you meditate on the Psalms throughout this 6-week study, you’ll experience the genuine joy of God’s presence, develop a positive outlook in the midst of the world’s stress, and find victory over fear and anxiety.

The Extraordinary Power of Praise is suited for both individual and group use. For more of Becky’s engaging, empathetic Bible teaching, go deeper into this study with the companion video series, available on Vimeo or for download. You can also find more peace through the Psalms with Becky’s latest daily devotional Psalms for the Anxious Heart.


And now, my review:

I found The Extraordinary Power of Praise book by Becky Harling to be a delightful read.  As I was reading along, I found myself nodding my head in agreement with what she was saying.  She shares parts of her story that intersect with the book and how her firsthand experiences play out in her own life.  For that, I find that this is a great resource to add to my library of loved books that help a person walk with the Savior day-by-day.  I would highly recommend this Bible Study in the Psalms.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Extraordinary-Power-Praise-Psalms-Anxious/dp/0802420095/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TTFQGOU5Y32E&keywords=the+extraordinary+power+of+praise&qid=1639698673&sprefix=the+extraordinary+power+of+%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/extraordinary-praise-study-psalms-anxious-heart/becky-harling/9780802420091/product-reviews/2420091?submitted_review=1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-extraordinary-power-of-praise-becky-harling/1139641045?ean=9780802420091

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Discovering God Through the Arts by Terry Glaspey

Here is the book summary:

What does art have to do with faith?

For many Christians, paintings, films, music, and other forms of art are simply used for wall decoration, entertaining distraction, or worshipful devotion. But what if the arts played a more prominent role in the Christian life?

In Discovering God through the Arts, discover how the arts can be tools for faith-building, life-changing spiritual formation for all Christians. Terry Glaspey, author of 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know, examines:

·       How the arts assist us in prayer and contemplation

·       How the arts help us rediscover a sense of wonder

·       How the arts help us deal with emotions

·       How the arts aid theological reflection and so much more.

Let your faith be enriched, and discover how beauty and creativity can draw you nearer to the ultimate Creator.

And now, my review:

I was really excited about this book when I first saw it.  I love including art to my times with the Lord whether it is enjoying a painting or creating a piece myself.  One of my highlights from the book was that the author includes questions and exercises to try at the end of each chapter.  I found those to be helpful to sit with the paintings he chose to include in the book.  I did find some of his words at the beginning of the book to be quite telling of where he’s at with his walk with the Lord.  Everyone has a story that they are trying to tell.  For this author it was about not playing it safe but jumping into pools that dibble… well, I haven’t finished the book yet but let’s just say I’m not onboard with all of what he says.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Discovering-God-through-Arts-Appreciating/dp/0802419976/ref=sr_1_1?crid=V51J76239MUW&dchild=1&keywords=discovering+god+through+the+arts&qid=1629833621&sprefix=discovering+God+through%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/discovering-through-christians-appreciating-beauty-creativity/terry-glaspey/9780802419972/pd/419976?event=ESRCN 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/discovering-god-through-the-arts-terry-glaspey/1138772366?ean=9780802419972

Monday, August 9, 2021

No Journey too Far by Carrie Turansky

Here is the book summary:

A family long divided, a mysterious trunk, and a desperate journey across the ocean—all in the name of love. The epic saga of the McAlisters continues in this riveting sequel to No Ocean Too Wide.
 
In 1909, Grace McAlister set sail for Canada as one of the thousands of British Home Children taken from their families and their homeland. Though she is fortunate enough to be adopted by wealthy parents, the secrets of her past are kept hidden for ten years until someone from her long-buried childhood arrives on her doorstep. With this new connection to her birth family, will she be brave enough to leave her sheltered life in Toronto and uncover the truth?
 
After enduring hardship as an indentured British Home Child, Garth McAlister left Canada to serve in World War I. His sweetheart, Emma Lafferty, promised to wait for his return, but after three long years apart, her letters suddenly stopped. When Garth arrives home from the war to unexpected news, he is determined to return to Canada once more on a daunting mission to find the two women he refuses to abandon—his long-lost sister and his mysteriously missing sweetheart.

And now, my review:

This is a book of much adventure with a twist of a court-hearing and a reconnection with long lost relationships because of the setting of war.  This book continues the story of the results of a family shipped across the sea to be offered over to families to be raised.  There was a separation of the children and this is the story of one of the children.  It’s exciting to read about the development of the life of this young lady.  The excitement of growing up and connecting with her love.  I’m really enjoying all the books in this series. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/No-Journey-Too-Far-McAlister-ebook/dp/B08GJZ4DCT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=no+journey+too+far&qid=1628545164&sr=8-1