tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694215968551129612024-02-08T07:33:21.983-06:00five stars: faith based book reviewswelcome to my book reviews blog! i read faith based books and give you the five star scoop in my reviews. if it's here, then you know i love it! five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-60755447072830426642018-07-05T16:25:00.003-05:002018-07-11T11:29:02.584-05:00march - july 2018<br />
note from me:<br />
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hello, dear reading friends!!!<br />
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for over 12+ years, it has been a joy to share all my five star picks with you!!! together we have read thousands of books and shared our favorites with the women in our life. so i'm very sad to say that this will be my last post as a blogger here. we're moving in a few short days (imagine how crazy it's been to sort, pack, read, post my review and repeat!) and for the past year, i've started a new career that involves working with children with special needs. it's incredibly challenging, draining and yet, exhilarating at the same time! this season of life has taught me that i can't do it all while being a mom and wife, too.<br />
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thank you for reading with me, sharing your comments, encouragements and prayer requests!!! as always, i want to encourage you to keep reading but don't forget to engage with the people God has placed in your life to minister to!!! people matter.<br />
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i'll end this note with my favorite verses from jeremiah 29:11-14a. read it. share it. live it.<br />
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blessings, love & happy reading!!!<br />
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susan, your reading mom<br />
jer. 29:11<br />
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fiction:<br />
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hands down, this was one of the most powerful stories i have ever read and you're definitely going to need a box of kleenexes near by! <b><i>before i saw you</i></b> by amy k. sorrells explores heart issues such as the opiate crisis, challenging home environments, the death of a sibling, unexpected pregnancies, incarcerated parents and more. jaycee givens is a character you can't help but love! she loves her baby brother and she loves helping her neighbor rehab wildlife around them. although she's gone through more heartache than any child should go through, you still see the hand of God in her life. sorrells paints a message of grace and hope despite the messiness of jaycee's life. this story is a perfect fit for your reading group with discussion questions in the back of the book. find out what's coming up next for amy k. sorrels by checking out her website at <a href="http://www.amyksorrells.com/">www.amyksorrells.com</a>.<br />
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trish bailey and her mom's life changed when a tractor trailer crashed into their vehicle two years ago. both women lost their spouses and trish's mom was critically injured. trish made the decision to move home and care for her mom who had a stroke and she's in no hurry to find romance again despite her mom's recent <i>not-so-subtle</i> attempts to play matchmaker. matt parker is the accountant for her parent's charitable foundation and came highly recommended by their pastor, but trish isn't feeling the connection! when her mom is found dead over suspicious circumstances after her last date with matt, trish is interviewed by detective colin flynn of the crimes against persons bureau. detective flynn begins to investigate and realizes there's something sinister at hand and trish bailey may be in danger. <b><i>dangerous illusions</i></b> is the the first installment of irene hannon's series <i>code of honor</i> and readers will discover that there's more than meets the eye. to learn more about irene hannon, visit her at <a href="http://www.irenehannon.com/">www.irenehannon.com</a>.<br />
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fans of author madeleine l'engle are going to appreciate <b><u>the day the angels fell</u></b> by shawn smucker. written in the voice of twelve-year-old samuel chambers, readers will be drawn into the day he stumbles upon three old women dressed like gypsies and the message they leave behind... <i>find the tree of life</i>. samuel and his best friend, abra embark on a quest and you'll be drawn to the lessons they learn while they search for the one thing samuel hopes will bring his mother back. look for smucker's next book coming this summer and learn more about him online at <a href="http://www.shawnsmucker.com/">www.shawnsmucker.com</a>.<br />
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two women. many centuries apart. one ring and one faith. in this time slip novel by heidi chiavaroli, <b><i>freedom's ring</i></b>, you'll meet annie david, a survivor of the boston marathon bombing in 2015 and liberty caldwell, a survivor of the boston massacre. both women go through a tremendous amount of pain and learn to face their fears as they grow their faith. annie david never expected a stranger's ring to mean so much to her. when she meets brad kilroy for the second time, she learns that the ring belonged to his family for generations. the mystery of the ring and it's latin inscription spur annie and brad to uncover the mystery of the ring's original owner. this sweet story is a reminder that love and faith will get you through the storms of life. to learn more about chiavaroli, go to her website at <a href="http://www.heidichiavaroli.com/">www.heidichiavaroli.com</a>.<br />
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fbi special agent kord davidson has a problem. he has to work with an operative from the cia when there's an assassination attempt on saudi prince omar bin tall who is visiting houston to seek cancer treatment for his mother. neither have a choice in the decision and together, they have to put aside their differences. in <b><i>high treason</i></b>, the 3rd book in the <i>fbi task force</i> series by diann mills, readers, you're going to be on the edge of your seat following kord and monica as they try to hunt down the assassin who seems to always be one step ahead of them! more on best-selling and award-winning author diann mills can be found here at <a href="http://www.diannmills.com/">www.diannmills.com</a>.<br />
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charming is a great way to describe the town of harbor pointe, michigan but for olympian skier grady benson, it's a forgettable town he's stuck in for five weeks to complete his community service sentence. in <b><i>just let go</i></b> you'll meet quinn collins, the newest business owner of a flower shop she's had a history with as long as she can remember. the last thing in the world she needs is to babysit an arrogant olympian who's been assigned to her to fulfill his community service hours. quinn has her hands full trying to prepare for the launch of her shop's opening day, the town's annual harbor pointe winter carnival and her floral designs for the michigan floral expo competition! i loved reading this one!!! <b><i>just let go</i></b> by courtney walsh highlights the beauty of family, friendships and second chances. fans of walsh can visit her online at <a href="http://www.courtneywalshwrites.com/">www.courtneywalshwrites.com</a>.<br />
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kelsey allen wants to launch her own security business but she needs to clear her name and her father's name. she hopes to prove herself while going undercover as a conservator at the museum while testing their security system. while there, maybe she can look into the art theft accusations against her father who disappeared when she was a young child. it's a win win, right?!? it is until she gets shot at! in <b><i>justice buried</i></b> (part of a series called <i>a memphis cold case novel</i>) by patricia bradley, you will find spine-tingling suspense, unexpected twists and turns, murder and plenty of suspects! it's a race against time before someone else gets hurt. you can go to <a href="http://www.ptbradley.com/">www.ptbradley.com</a> to learn more about patricia bradley.<br />
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imagine waking up and finding yourself strapped down in a hospital where your blood is being drawn. that's what happened to nick reese in <b><i>the nephilim virus</i></b> by john t. prather. nick wakes up from a coma and discovers the world as he knew it changed. people have been exposed to a blood-borne virus and a cure hasn't been discovered... yet. it's up to nick, his hematologist named faith and a man called the commander to survive while being hunted by the infected. this story is a blend of science fiction and reminds me of an allegory. you can get more information on the author (he's a model and an actor) by going to <a href="http://www.johntprather.com/">www.johntprather.com</a>.<br />
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once he gets his half of his mother's estate, liam berne will be ready to begin a new life. he's going to quit his current dead end job and start his own business. he's got it all planned out and no one will know what happened to his mother after her body is recovered from the sure foot river. alzheimer's has changed his once vivacious and engaging mom into a woman who is fearful, confused and forgetful, so ending her life is the most merciful thing to do. although liam has taken care to cover his tracks, he overlooked one minor detail... a twelve-year old eye witness. <b><i>only by death</i></b> is the second book in best-selling suspense novelist kathy herman's series <i>ozark mountain trilogy</i> where her characters struggle with life issues that threaten their faith in God. herman's characters are both authentic and endearing (especially jesse!) and you'll fall in love with the residents of foggy ridge, too! you can learn more about herman on her website at <a href="http://www.kathyherman.com/">www.kathyherman.com</a>.<br />
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when hawk cummings ignores his conscience and lies to his family and girlfriend, the consequences of his choices brings danger to the front doors of the angel view lodge. again. once again, kate and her husband elliot along with kate's children must depend on their faith in God to get them through some suspenseful and dangerous times. in <b><i>a treacherous mix</i></b>, the finale of her series <i>ozark mountain trilogy</i>, kathy herman paints a vivid picture of how the devil can get a foothold in our lives when we allow deceit to come in and choose to ignore the power of God's Word as our moral compass. hawk cummings learns this firsthand when he falls for a vulnerable and beautiful woman who will mysteriously disappear without a trace one afternoon. readers get to see the painful consequences of his actions and how it affects every member of their family and even beyond hawk's community. don't miss the insightful "<i>a note from the author</i>" and the discussion questions (this one is a perfect choice for your book club!!!) in the <b>after</b>words section after page 372. look for this edge-of-your-seat read coming your way in august!!!<br />
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you are going to love this latest regency romance like i did from best-selling author carolyn miller! in <b><i>winning miss winthrop</i></b>, you'll meet a cast of characters who will win your heart (and some not so much!!!)! three years ago, catherine winthrop was in love with a gentleman beneath her station. but one day, everything changes and catherine's heart is left in pieces. then unfortunate circumstances bring the two back into each other's lives and catherine must learn to navigate her new station in life while watching her former love from afar. this charming story is engaging with hilariously witty dialogue, colorful characters, lovely clothing and gossip (!) that will transport you back to 1816! <b><i>winning miss winthrop</i></b> is the first volume in miller's new series, <i>regency brides: a promise of hope</i>. to learn more about what's next from carolyn miller, visit <a href="http://www.carolynmillerauthor.com/">www.carolynmillerauthor.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>aching joy: following God through the land of unanswered prayer</i></b> by jason hague is an authentic look at what he's learned from God through parenting his son with severe autism. if you've ever experienced the difficulty of navigating life in the midst of unanswered prayers, then you'll find renewed hope in your challenges. i loved the stories of struggle hague shares with his readers and i think his message in <b><i>aching joy</i></b> will resonate with you, too. visit <a href="http://www.jasonhague.com/">www.jasonhague.com</a> to learn more.<br />
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<b><i>a call to love: preparing your heart & soul for adoption</i></b> by julie holmquist offers insight from scripture, personal experiences, stories from other adoptive parents and resources. holmquist reminds couples waiting to adopt or in the midst of adoption that God's provision and a community of friends, family and professionals are vital in this journey. once i started reading, i couldn't put this book down. julie and her husband's stories of the struggles and joys of parenting two siblings from russia brought tears to my eyes. their story gave me fresh perspective on the hurdles many families go through and the calling required in the adoption journey. learn more about julie holmquist's story at <a href="http://www.julieholmquist.com/">www.julieholmquist.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>courage, dear friend: letters to a weary world</i></b> by rebecca reynolds intrigued me when i first started reading this to review for you. reynolds seeks to give three gifts to her readers - gifts that she needed during her times of weariness. the gifts are words, presence and hope and as you read through this series of letters for anyone who is feeling lonely, weary, discouraged and fearful, you'll get the importance of her gifts. i love the fictional retelling of leah and rachel's story and all the different personal stories reynolds uses to reiterate biblical truth to let readers know they have value and are not forgotten. you're going to love her gentle style of storytelling like i did. for more on rebecca reynolds and her writing, visit <a href="http://www.thistleandtoad.com/">www.thistleandtoad.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>eternity is now in session: a radical rediscovery of what Jesus really taught about salvation, eternity, and getting to the good place</i></b> by john ortberg is engaging and thought-provoking. ortberg reminds Christ-followers that "following Jesus is not a static religious identity but a dynamic calling that constantly invigorates and challenges us." (pg.48) in his book, he also points out that being a Christ-follower is more that just trying to satisfy the minimum requirements of our faith. ortberg gives a great example on page 29 on the consequences of his wedding day if he had asked his bride, "what's the absolute least i can do to stay married to you? what's the lowest level of commitment, the fewest affirmations, the smallest promises, the highest level of ignorance permissible? what are the minimum requirements for maintaining my husband status?" this is a book that will definitely challenge Christ-followers to go and make disciples and live out our faith!<br />
visit john ortberg at his website at <a href="http://www.johnortberg.com/">www.johnortberg.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>the faith of dolly parton: lessons from her life to lift your heart</i></b> by award-winning writer dudley delffs seamlessly weaves life lessons from dolly parton and how she inspired delffs in his own life story. at the end of every chapter, you'll find questions based on the contents of that chapter that will challenge you and maybe even push you out of your comfort zone along with a prayer. at the time delffs wrote the book, he hadn't met dolly personally - i'm hoping that has changed by now!<br />
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<b><i>feisty & feminine: a rallying cry for conservative women</i></b> by penny young nance challenges readers to "understand how they can stand up, be heard and make a difference in our culture." i love how nance points out that we are facing an "esther moment" when our voice needs to be heard over issues that are relevant in our culture. she challenges that our message must always be redemptive and gives insight on what "esther women" can do on very specific relevant issues. nance writes with authority and comes across very personable and passionate. i like that you can read about other women who are making a difference in today's world (i loved reading about women like lila rose, crystal macias and jeanne mancini!). i feel strongly that every women should read this book because it's time we took a stand for our beliefs and values. penny young nance is the coo and president of concerned women for america. learn more by visiting <a href="http://www.concernedwomen.org/">www.concernedwomen.org</a>.<br />
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<b><i>fierce faith: a woman's guide to fighting fear, wrestling worry, and overcoming anxiety</i></b> by alli worthington is a must read for you. worthington writes in a personable style that is easy to read and very relatable. she shares her story honestly and writes from a heart of love and care. in here, she examines eight types of fear that any woman can relate to. then she uses biblical illustrations and gives practical insight along with relevant examples on how to fight it and overcome! it's a journey towards healing and the "battle plan" beginning on page 205 can be dowloaded! you gotta love that!!! go to <a href="http://www.alliworthington.com/fivebadbs">www.alliworthington.com/fivebadbs</a> to learn more.<br />
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<b><i>fledge: launching your kids without losing your mind</i></b> by brenda l. yoder helps prepare parents and their families in the stage of life where they release their children into the future God has planned for them. yoder points out that God's blueprint for the family is in the bible and so focuses on psalm 127 (and other Scripture) as she uses biblical wisdom and her own experience to help parents navigate the transition to launch their children well. yoder offers helpful explanations on various parenting relationships as well as taking a look at specific unhealthy and healthy parenting themes. there are questions to review after every chapter and practical advice, strategies and wisdom for every parent! i really like that yoder doesn't forget families of children with special needs. check out the appendix beginning on page 235. find out more at <a href="http://www.brendayoder.com/">www.brendayoder.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>HIStory in 30 days: genesis to revelation</i></b> by carole o. schryber is an incredible resource with daily devotions that highlights the overall redemption plan of God in scripture. this book is not only for christians but for non-christians. schryber points out that "every foretelling about the lineage, birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ the Savior can be traced and is fulfilled in the sixty-six books of the Bible." be sure to check out the appendix (pp. 127-132) for additional resource. you can check out schryber's weekly blog at <a href="http://www.caroleschryber.com/">www.caroleschryber.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>holy in the moment: simple ways to love God and enjoy your life</i></b> by ginger harrington brings the topic of holiness into our modern world. how can we be holy in this day and age and how can we develop holy habits? these are just a few of the topics that harrington addresses. she authentically shares her own stories, biblical insights and offers practical steps in choosing to embrace holiness. the lesson i walked away with is that faith and holiness are an intentional choice. meet harrington at <a href="http://www.gingerharrington.com/">www.gingerharrington.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>joey: how a blind rescue horse helped others learn to see</i></b> by jennifer marshall bleakley is a story of hope and healing. a rescue group found joey nearly dead from starvation and blind after moving from one owner to the next. he was brought to hope reins - a ranch dedicating to helping hurting children who had been abused, emotionally wounded or unwanted. i love how the staff at hope reins teaches children that they are not forgotten by God! author and grief counselor jennifer bleakley writes stories of hope. visit her online at <a href="http://www.jenniferbleakley.com/">www.jenniferbleakley.com</a>.<br />
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in <b><i>keep christ-ianity weird: embracing the discipline of being different </i></b>by michael frost, followers of Jesus are challenged to live out romans 12:2. frost shares stories and examples from scripture to demonstrate how followers of Jesus live their faith in the midst of the changing culture. you'll get a better understanding of what paul meant when he said "<i>be transformed by the renewing of our mind</i>" in romans 12. i love the prayer at the end of this book (pp. 188-190)! you can read more about michael frost and his writings at <a href="http://www.michaelfrost.net/">www.michaelfrost.net</a>.<br />
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<b><i>people are good: 100 true stories to restore your faith in humanity</i></b> by annamarie mchargue is an encouraging book to lift you up! reading through this collection of stories will remind you that small acts of kindness can make a huge impact on your outlook! i love that these stories are shared by people from all walks of life in different states. learn more by visiting <a href="http://www.wordswithsisters.com/">www.wordswithsisters.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>restore: break out of your past and into God's future</i></b> by vince antonucci is an insightful book (while being hilarious!) that is written honestly and boldly. i have to confess that i loved reading his "top ten" lists that are scattered throughout the book! if you're feeling "stuck"and want to get past it, apply these principles from scripture that antonucci shares here and learn how you can overcome setbacks. you'll find scripture, principles to apply, stories and examples of people living today who have broken free from the hurt of their past. find out more about vince antonucci at <a href="http://www.vinceantonucci.com/">www.vinceantonucci.com</a>!<br />
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<b><i>seeking a familiar face: the transformational journey of connecting with God</i></b> by may patterson was actually birthed from a Bible study she wrote about "seeking God." i learned that the bible includes over 50 references to "seeking God." in this book, you will find practical ideas for seeking God, a "seek and find" section in every chapter which you can use for guided journaling ideas or questions with a small group and much more. i like how patterson chooses 10 biblical characters (like king josiah, moses, mary of bethany and others) with engaging fictionalized narratives to demonstrate the impact of seeking God in their lives. visit may patterson on her blog at <a href="http://www.maypatterson.com/">www.maypatterson.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>shaped notes: how ordinary people with extraordinary gifts influenced my life and career</i></b> by larnelle harris with christine schaub is a great read on one of my favorite artists whom i used to play on my afternoon radio show! i love reading the back story of influential people! this is a feel good read about a young boy who overcame his background to become one of the most award-winning and amazing tenor voice of all times. be inspired and check out <a href="http://www.larnelle.com/">www.larnelle.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>suddenly single: rebuilding your life after divorce</i></b> by kathryn batey is a helpful resource to help men and women in this new season of life. i like that you can also find companion resources such as <b><i>suddenly single journal: processing your first year after divorce</i></b> and a <i style="font-weight: bold;">suddenly single workbook: building your future after divorce </i>by batey, too. batey has been there once, twenty-one years ago and her compassion and care come through her writing. she gives advice on determining boundaries and getting a healthy mind-set, she helps readers in thinking through their thought process and she shows readers how to find hope and find support. Batey covers issues from dealing with anger, forming your network of experts, how your past affects you, decisions about the children to courage for the journey.<br />
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<b><i>talking about God: honest conversations about spirituality</i></b> by steve & cheri saccone demonstrates how spiritual conversations can impact one's faith journey. in this one, you'll find stories where you'll get to peek in and eavesdrop on conversations that draw people to Christ. saccone share their observations about these conversations and remind us that the results can only be left to God.<br />
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<br />five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-52099161813419792602018-03-01T22:24:00.003-06:002018-03-01T22:29:04.293-06:00january - february 2018note from me:<br />
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hello & happy 2018, dear reading friend!!!<br />
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where has all the time gone?!? i started writing before midnight but by the time i'm ready to post this blog, it will officially be march 1! i started subbing regularly at my son's school since the beginning of the school year and boy, has my life ever changed! some of the children have definitely stolen my heart while others have stolen... my sanity! life will never be the same again!!! i will say that trying to keep up with regular life stuff has been more challenging but thank God for his faithfulness and mercies---they are new every morning (lamentations 3:22-23).<br />
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how are things with you? i can't wait for you to check out my five star reviews today and i hope you will find some things to read that really resonate with you!!! as always, thank you for sharing this resource with the women in your life!!! let me know how i can pray for you, okay? you can always email me with your prayer requests or comments at thereadingmom@gmail.com.<br />
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as you go about your day, remember that God created you for a purpose. you are loved and you are enough.<br />
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blessings & happy reading!!!<br />
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susan, your reading mom<br />
jer. 29:11<br />
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inspirational regency romance author carolyn miller has done it again. you'll love her latest, <b><i>the dishonorable miss delancey: a legacy of grace</i></b>, book 3 in her regency brides series where the story begins on a dark and stormy night! it's 1815 and captain benjamin richmond kemsley is intrigued by the mystery lady he encountered at the edge of the clifftop. he's recovering from a heroic act while at sea and his lovely family is protective of him during his stay. meanwhile, the honorable miss clara delancey is trying to redeem herself from the scandal that caused her to flee london. her mother desperately wants her to marry for money and endlessly searches for opportunities to showcase her talent. clara never expected to fall for a man after enduring the scandal in london but her father rejects him on account of his lack of title and funds. so very jane austen, right?!? to find out more about carolyn miller's next regency romance, visit her at <a href="http://carolynmillerauthor.com/">carolynmillerauthor.com</a> and her love for regency romance!<br />
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reading the passion story through the eyes of marcus longinus, the centurion posted in jerusalem to keep order during the passover is both enthralling and riveting. this day to day account of the days leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection is worth reading aloud with your family. in <b><i>the soldier who killed a king: a true retelling of the passion</i></b>, author david kitz takes us on a journey to the most life-changing day in history. experience the story of passion week through fresh eyes and a new perspective with your family. kitz is a Bible dramatist and outreach minister. you can learn more about his ministry at <a href="http://www.davidkitz.ca/">http://www.davidkitz.ca</a>.<br />
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last march/april, i reviewed <i>a trail of crumbs</i> and today, i'm happy to share the latest one in the pearl spence novels, <b><i>a song of home: a novel of the swing era </i></b>by susie finkbeiner! as you may remember, so much has happened in pearl's life. she's still surviving the loss of her dear sister beanie, meemaw, her home and the loss of her mother when she left the family. pearl's life is finally settling down and another year has passed. she's gotten into a routine of her "new" normal when her world is turned upside down again. i love the way finkbeiner takes you inside the head of pearl as she grows up and processes the world around her in her own way! if you haven't read the first two pearl spence novels, i highly recommend that you do! while you're online, be sure to check out susie's blog at <a href="http://www.susiefinkbeiner.com/">susiefinkbeiner.com</a>.<br />
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it was a series of events that caused ruby handley freeman to make the decision to finally pursue forgiveness and face a secret she's kept hidden for over seventy years. in <b><i>under a cloudless sky</i></b> by chris fabry, you'll find a charming southern story set in the thriving mining town of beulah mountain, west virginia. total opposites and best friends ruby handley freeman and beatrice "bean" dingess met in 1933 and did everything together. well almost everything. they were like sisters and loved each other fiercely but the events of what became known as the "beulah mountain massacre" really took the love they had for each other to the highest level possible. look for this unforgettable story in a bookstore near you!!! i'm a huge fan of chris so if you want to know more about him, check out <a href="http://www.chrisfabry.com/">chrisfabry.com</a>.<br />
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the bodies of young girls are found and it's up to special agent garrett addison and special agent jordan lambert to figure out the clues that are left behind. it's like a game of chess and the team must determine every strategic move of the notorious angel abductor. in this fast-paced thriller, <b><i>vanishing point</i></b> by lisa harris will have you on the edge of your seat. this one reads like an episode in tv shows like criminal minds or ncis only better because there's always hope and faith involved with the lead characters... and possibly a little romance along with a cliff hanger ending! to find out more about lisa harris, go to <a href="http://www.lisaharriswrites.com/">lisaharriswrites.com</a>.<br />
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samantha winters never expected to see nick chastain again. he was a risk taker and she lived her life avoiding risks. but opposites attract, right?!? the last time they were together, they both exchanged heated words which resulted in the end of their relationship. since then, samantha has wanted to make amends but nick never responded to her emails or call. nick has regrets, too, and he's carrying a life-changing secret that is hard for him to talk about. in <b><i>you're going to love me</i></b> by robin lee hatcher, you'll find a beautiful story of reconciliation and second chances. i've been a huge robin lee hatcher fan and have always enjoyed our interviews! i know you'll enjoy learning more about her and her books at <a href="http://www.robinleehatcher.com/">robinleehatcher.com</a> so visit her website!<br />
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non-fiction:<br />
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<b><i>devotions for the hungry heart: chasing Jesus six days from sunday</i></b> by shellie rushing tomlinson (the "belle of all things southern") is a beautiful book that's full of bite sized devotionals and Scripture along with warm-hearted stories, pictures and yummy recipes!!! oh my stars, you're going to love this devotional!!! tomlinson shares stories with warm-hearted humor and reading her writing is like having a conversation with her. check out her website at <a href="http://www.belleofallthingssouthern.com/">belleofallthingssouthern.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>messiah in the passover</i></b> is a passover reference book edited by darrell l. bock and mitch glaser (president of chosen people ministries). this book is for anyone interested in the jewish roots of the christian faith. you'll find jewish and church history, passover references from the torah to the Lord's supper. i really like chapter 13 "the gospel in the passover seder" where the significance of the passover ceremony is carefully explained in detail. you can learn how to celebrate the passover in your home (chap 16) and even find recipes for passover foods (chap 19)! the last thing i love about this resource is that it will help equip you if you're trying to share Jesus with your jewish friends. you can find additional resources and instructional videos at <a href="http://messiahinthepassover.com/">messiahinthepassover.com</a>.<br />
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<b><i>the read-aloud family: making meaningful and lasting connections with your kids</i></b> by sarah mackenzie is a resource that is going to be your best friend in this age of technology where moms and dads are losing their children to smart phones, ipads, tablets and more! mackenzie shares her story and shares expert advise from top shelf educators about the importance of growing creative thinkers and problem solvers and more. Some more benefits of reading include nurturing empathy and compassion, the ability to make connections, increasing vocabulary and more through reading together, etc. stories expand our horizon and as a lover of words, i can vouch that sharing my love for reading has touched both of my children immensely! if you're worried you don't have time to read an entire book yourself, then check this resource out for age appropriate reading lists for your children (from "infancy through adolescence" by mackenzie). encourage the family to lay off their devices and read aloud while doing laundry, drawing or something else! it's worth it!!! check out mackenzie's blog at <a href="http://readaloudrevival.com/blog/">readaloudrevival.com/blog/</a>. <br />
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family-friendly:<br />
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the perfect gift book for your little one is here!!! <i style="font-weight: bold;">with love from me to you</i> is written by award-winning author and one of america's "top parenting pros" mary manz simon. this adorable board book with rhyming text and sweet age appropriate illustrations (i love all the animals!!!) teaches children about showing love and kindness by their actions and not just with their words. i love the message that love is more than flowers and candy---a message all grownups can be reminded about, too! dr. mary manz simon weaves the message of God's love inside us lets us love others when we show kindness, extend forgiveness and more. this message isn't just for our little ones so feel free to gift this book to any friend big or small!!! to learn more about award-winning author mary, manz simon and her other resources, visit her at <a href="http://www.marymanzsimon.com/">marymanzsimon.com</a>.<br />
<br />five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-63766151741555391632017-10-31T20:58:00.004-05:002017-10-31T21:21:36.759-05:00july - august - september - october 2017note from me:<br />
happy fall, dear reading friend!!!<br />
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this is my favorite season to begin baking all those yummy apple desserts like my apple cider cookies, apple crumble, etc.!<br />
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i'm so sorry it's been more than a few months since i last posted my reviews. we found out at the end of august that we may be moving so we went into "crazy packing" mode. then earlier this month, we found out that the move will be delayed because of circumstances i can't get into at this moment. sooooooooo, i've taken a break from packing and here are all my five star reviews since july!!!<br />
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thank you for your patience!!! i hope you get as much joy discovering new stories as i have in sharing them!!!<br />
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blessings & happy reading!!!<br />
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susan, your reading mom<br />
jer. 29:11<br />
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<b>fiction:</b><br />
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the writing of jane kirkpatrick never fails to move me in the deepest places of my heart. i love her latest character, "Jennie" Lichtenthaler Pickett. she struggles with reading and writing and sometimes, she misses the meanings of glances or subtle words but the thoughts she voices are extraordinarily perceptive and insightful. i wish i had kept a journal on all the gems of wisdom i never fail to find in each one of jane's writings! <b><i>all she left behind</i></b> is a story inspired by a real person from history (be sure to read the details about it on page 321). i admire her courage, her compassionate heart and the difference she made with her passion for homeopathic healing. eventually, jennie overcomes many hurdles and specializes in diseases for women and children with her medical training in "regular" medicine. she suffered a great loss, abuse, divorce and debt, and yet, she wasn't beaten down by them. she even gets a second chance at love!!! you will definitely be inspired by this women's life!!!<br />
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lady charlotte featherington wants to marry someone young, exciting, handsome and brave, but most of all, she wants to marry for love like her cousin lavinia stamford. her mother; however, only has her sights set on those with titles. like the duke of hartington. a titled man recently widowed and is neither young nor handsome in lady charlotte's mind and eye! someone else has captured her heart and anyone else her parents have in mind cannot possibly compare. but unbeknownst to lady charlotte, she has captured the heart of the ninth duke of hartington and he is looking for someone whose heart belongs to him solely. <b><i>the captivating lady charlotte</i></b> by carolyn miller is a must read for fans of wholesome regency romances! this is book two in her series <i>regency brides: a legacy of grace</i> where miller captures the vivid architectural and clothing details along with the pretentious personalities of 1814 london.<br />
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it's 1944 and war is on the horizon. amelia richards falls hopelessly in love with a navy man and in a whirlwind romance, she becomes engaged. when james bradley's leave is cut short because his aircraft carrier was shipping out, amelia makes a decision that changes the course of her life. months later, she receives news that devastates her and amelia finds herself broke, jobless and mother of a sick baby boy. now there's only one thing she can do --- she has to find her infant's paternal grandparents. <b><i>the christmas blessing</i></b> by melody carlson is a beautiful story about the power of hope and reconciliation.<br />
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girls from the same sorority are dying under mysterious circumstances and it's up to branigan powers and her homeless and resourceful friend malachi to connect the dots before anyone else dies. i love malachi! he's one of my favorite characters because he understands human nature and their view of the homeless and he uses that to his advantage in uncovering clues and obtaining the evidence that branigan and the police need!!! <b><i>the cover story</i></b> by deb richardson-moore is another <i>a branigan powers mystery</i> that you are going to love. richardson-moore's journalist background and her work with the homeless gives us a clearer understanding and awareness of their issues and needs.<br />
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the heart-pounding conclusion to <i>the alliance</i> is found in <b><i>the divide</i></b> by jolina petersheim where an old mennonite community flees to the mountains for refuge when their world is attacked and dispersed. leora ebersole and her community have been hiding out now for six months and the ongoing issues that come with hunger, fear, sickness and death are taking a toll on everyone. leora and her beliefs are put to the test when she struggles between faith issues, love and making a decision to take action. news still hasn't come of the young englischer pilot who has stolen her heart (from book 1, <i>the alliance</i>) and leora must choose between love and the new bishop who needs her.<br />
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if you're a fan of psychological thrillers, then you're going to love <b><i>fault lines</i></b>!!! thomas locke (pseudonym for award-winning novelist davis bunn) takes readers to the edge of reality where out of the body experiences happen in controlled environments. charlie hazard is in the risk containment business and never dreams he would experience this first hand when gabriella and her team of researchers and scientists bring him into their research facility. but the team is in danger and it will be up to charlie and his team to stay ahead of the enemy. dramatic twists with lots of danger and suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat as charlie and his team must protect his clients at all cost.<br />
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<b><i>freedom's price</i></b> by christine johnson is book 3 in the <i>keys of promise</i> series set in 1856 off the bahama banks. englishwoman catherine haynes has lost her mother and now she's lost her father. her cousin has taken over the estate and catherine refuses to marry the man he has chosen for her. instead, she makes the drastic decision to the america's and meet her mother's family on their plantation. her mother was estranged from her family but she often told catherine about her fond memories of her home there. when catherine arrives in louisiana after many delays, she's shocked to find her mother's plantation, black oak run by the plantation manager and a few servants with no family anywhere. something sinister is going on and catherine's life may be in danger as she is determined to regain ownership of her family's home. she will encounter deception, cruelty, loss and love and eventually redemption at a high price.<br />
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pecan orchards and fishing in the waters of mobile bay are where anniston (anni) harlan finds relief but her grandmother, princella is all about society's rigid rules, appearances and expectations. princella has spent a lifetime of building her reputation and she will hold on to her rules and southern values at all costs. in <b><i>how sweet the sound</i></b> by amy k. sorrells (i love her stories!!!), you'll see how the course of anni's life drastically takes a turn when her daddy is killed. this coming of age story has multi layers of family secrets, tragedies and cover up. it also has all the elements that i love---friendship and hope, redemption,healing and second chances. inspired by the biblical story of tamar from 2 samuel 13, this southern tale offers hope and healing to abuse survivors (note: october is domestic violence awareness month) and shows true freedom from captivity through the grace and mercy of God.<br />
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all her life, lane kelley has always felt alone---alone from her peers and even from her own family. she graduated from high school and left for college in chicago without ever looking back while carving a great design career for herself. <b><i>just look up</i></b> by courtney walsh is for all of us who remembers what it's like to not fit in with our peers. this one is for all the girls who outgrew their awkward stages and have managed to thrive on the outside while never dealing with the hurt, pain and rejection on the inside i love how this story ends with the sentence, "and she vowed to never again miss what was right in front of her." read this one with a box of kleenexes nearby because i guarantee lane's story will resonate with you deeply and touch your heart. and your tear ducts.<br />
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aurélie harcourt doesn't belong in the world she's been thrusted in and she's also harboring a secret that has caused angst among her extended family. author joanna davidson politano has written a mystery that is both engaging and captivating in <b><i>lady jane disappears</i></b>! there are fascinating quotes from mystery author nathaniel droll in every chapter and the intriguing history (and secrets of the south tower) of lyndhurst manor will have you wanting more!!! an added bonus at the end is a sneak peak at joanna's new book coming your way summer 2018 (not sure i can wait that long!!!). happy reading!!!<br />
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lochiel ogle is a legend. known as "the devil's daughter" because of a red-wine birthmark reaching from her cheek to the neck, lochiel is no stranger to pain, fear and suffering. but everything changes when she's rescued from a beating (that nearly leaves her for dead) by a man who isn't afraid of her. when lochiel is shown kindness by walton and his mother edna and introduced to the power of God's love, she learns a secret that shakes her world completely upside down. <b><i>liar's winter: an appalachian novel</i></b> is written from the heart of cindy k. sproles and is a hauntingly beautiful story of redemption.<br />
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<b><i>loving luther</i></b> is the story of katharina von bora, wife of martin luther by allison pittman. set in germany, 1505, little six-year old katharina must bravely learn to get used to her new home, the convent at brehna. this fascinating story follows her as she grows up, takes her vows and then comes across the writing of martin luther, an excommunicated priest. katherina's heart is stirred up as she reads pages from <i>the freedom of a christian</i> which lists verses from ephesians 2:8-9 and others. eventually, katharina and eleven other sisters bravely escape from the convent! witnessing how their lives unfold as they learn to survive outside the convent walls is a fascinating read!<br />
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former champion backcountry snowboarder and celebrity gage watson is about to return to the most dangerous and risky run with the woman who singlehandedly ruined his career. he's left the limelight and now serves on the peak rescue team and right now, a kid and his friend are trying to follow in his footsteps on a run that he barely survived. <b><i>a matter of trust</i></b> by susan may warren is book 3 in the <i>montana rescue</i> series where danger lurks around every corner! ella feels responsible for her brother and she regrets her part in dismantling gage's career. she risks everything if she reveals the truth and she knows she doesn't have the right to ask for his help but he's the only one who can find her reckless brother...<br />
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<b><i>on love's gentle shore</i></b> allows us to follow natalie o'ryan as she returns to prince edward island with a little bit of fear in facing her past and a lot of bitterness and anger against her best friend who abandoned her. this is liz johnson's third book in her series, <i>prince edward island dreams</i> and i love everyone so far!!! natalie has to face the ghosts of her past and forgive the man who never protected her and selfishly kept her from people who loved her and wanted her. she comes to the realization that "doing the next right thing" will keep her from making the biggest mistake of her life.<br />
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isabella bartholomew is doing everything she can to save her family plantation breeze hill but she needs help. hiring connor o'shea to help manage the plantation and rebuild the sections of their home that have been destroyed by a fire is the perfect solution. but suspicious things have been happening and someone is out to eliminate the bartholomew family. while isabella is considering accepting her wealthy neighbor's proposal of marriage to save her family's plantation, it's up to connor to figure things out and keep isabella and her family safe while setting his feelings aside. <b><i>the promise of breeze hill</i></b> by pam hillman takes you back in time to 1791 along the natchez trace where secrets, family history and romance come together.<br />
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if you're looking for a fast-paced and heart-pounding sci-fi adventure, then look no farther than thomas locke's latest, <b><i>renegades</i></b>. it's book two in the <i>recruits</i> series (we reviewed book 1 here) and things begin with landon evans. he was saying farewell when suddenly, three people appear out of nowhere...<br />
meanwhile, twins sean and dillon find out that the son of senator evans has been kidnapped. will their transit abilities help them? only if they manage not to get arrested and imprisoned...! this is an epic adventure with beasts (that resemble giant moray eels), a dragon, a young soldier whose fate is tied with the twins and more!<br />
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i just read the funniest story ever (!!!) by a first-time novelist bethany turner. i love that she is committed to writing stories that deal with the "thorny realities of living the christian life." note: i took that quote right off the back cover so pardon my lack of originality! so. can i just say how much i love her debut novel, <b><i>the secret life of sarah hollenbeck</i></b>??!? i love sarah (especially the way her mouth always takes off like a runaway train whenever she's around ben delaney) and i super love her <i>always-tell-the-truth-in-love</i> friend, piper!!! sarah's a famous author who writes steamy novels that puts the "b" in blush. but then she meets Jesus. and ben. yes, in that order. the chemistry between them (sarah & ben) in that one chance encounter is beyond anything she's ever experienced and that's a problem because ben is... okay, i'm stopping here because you really need to go get your own copy of this book. seriously. you are going to find plenty of insight and humor as you read a story that bluntly dishes up faith, divorce, single parenting, second chances, betrayal, church scandal and hope (try staying that sentence really fast now)! i can't wait to share my reviews for novel #2!!!<br />
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nurse francine howard arrives in leslie county, kentucky. she's training to be a midwife under the direction of the frontier nursing service while nursing a broken heart. the people in the appalachian mountains need her services and francine is ready for an adventure. although she feels like a fish out of water at first, she gradually learns to love the people and respect their ways. she also quickly learns that being with the frontier nursing service means she has to learn how to milk a cow, grow a sass patch and learn to navigate mountain trails while being directionally impaired (i can so relate!!!)! francine is spunky yet gentle, caring and courageous. i love her and i love the character granny em! there's some unexpected adventure, romance and lots of new possibilities for francine in <b><i>these healing hills</i></b> by ann h. gabhart. be sure to check out the interesting readers' note on the frontier nursing service beginning on page 357!<br />
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fans of heart-pounding suspense and thrillers will love glenn meade's latest in <b><i>unquiet ghosts</i></b>! kathy kelley is trying to rebuild her life after a horrific accident that took the life of her husband and her two young children. she eventually remarries and becomes a stepmother to a sweet daughter who was close friends with her own daughter but eventually, the marriage disintegrates even though they parted on good terms. as she searches for answers, she begins to uncover information that will change the way she sees everyone closest to her. kathy has to change her perceptions and figure out a way to survive the betrayal and pain from the past 8 years of her life. although i scare myself over thrillers that are intense and suspenseful, mead's writing has a way of drawing me in from start to finish!<br />
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<b>non-fiction:</b><br />
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<b><i>the life-giving table: nurturing faith through feasting, one meal at a time</i></b> by sally clarkson promotes the importance of connecting deeply with family and friends around the table. sally is an amazing hostess and i would love to meet her in person!!! sally shares her own stories (she's lived everywhere!), delicious sounding favorite recipes that she uses with her family and friends along with practical ideas to help us grow closer to the people we love as we grow in our faith together. this one is definitely a keeper!<br />
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<b><i>shalom sisters: living wholeheartedly in a brokenhearted world</i></b> by o'shea moore gives you a glimpse of a women who appreciates sassy and humor while dishing out plenty of stories, observations and practical insights for women longing to make a difference as peacemakers. moore writes with incredible vulnerability and transparency (i love the story of the time she broke the unspoken carpool lane law and what happens after in chapter 10!!!) and if you can't get enough of her writing, then check out her podcasts or blog.<br />
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<br />five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-50720404957797436172017-06-30T17:56:00.002-05:002017-06-30T17:56:25.124-05:00may - june 2017note from me:<br />
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dear reading friend,<br />
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happy summer! how has your summer been going? i injured my knee earlier this summer and it has forced me to slow down considerably... which has been hard, i admit! so my favorite son and i have been catching up on shows like fixer upper and the food network channel while i keep my leg elevated and iced!<br />
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i'm so excited to share my five star reads with you!!! if you're going out of town, heading to the beach or somewhere else fun, don't forget to grab a book or two (!) and share what you read with a friend or a family member!!!<br />
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while you're in between reading, remember to "let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see you good deeds and moral excellence and [honor and recognize and] glorify your Father who is in heaven." matthew 5:16 the amplified bible<br />
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let me know how you're letting your light shine by emailing me at thereadingmom@gmail.com! i love hearing from you!!! and thank you for sharing this blog site with all the women in your life :o)<br />
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blessings & happy reading!!!<br />
<br />
susan, your reading mom<br />
jer. 29:11<br />
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fiction:<br />
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<b><i>alabaster: what is most precious is also most fragile</i></b> by chris aslan is a novelized narrative to a familiar bible story. this story is gripping and written in a manner that tugs on your heartstrings. i love what all the women in the village tell their daughters: "a woman's honor is as fragile and as beautiful as a butterfly's wings. what is a butterfly without wings, except a worm? remember this. guard your reputation, for it is more precious even than a husband or sons." This is a short and easy-to-finish book, but the content is thought-provoking, powerful and is a mesmerizing read.<br />
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<b><i>bread of angels</i></b> is a fictionalized story of lydia in the bible, the seller of purple and a convert of the apostle paul by tessa afshar. i love how afshar takes her readers back in time (ad 25, to be exact) and weaves a story of a young girl who must help her father in his dye business. she alone holds her father's secret recipes to the rich purple dyes that make any material vibrant with color. after a tragedy in her young life, lydia often lives with fear, uncertainty and a lack of confidence in her skills. when a series of horrific events unfold, lydia must flee her beloved hometown and find a way to make it on her own in a culture that looks down on unmarried women. all along the way, you will see God's hand on her life and eventually, she will see it, too! this is an addictive and engaging read, so clear your schedule and plan on getting to know lydia, seller of purple.<br />
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<b><i>love story</i></b> continues <i>the baxter family collection</i> by karen kingsbury. if you haven't already fallen in love with the baxter family, then this one will definitely win you over!!! karen's characters are flawed and very much human, but the grace of God is so evident in their story. john baxter is interviewed by his grandson for a heritage project and this means he must go back to that place in his heart and mind when he first fell in love with elizabeth. their love story of nearly thirty years is not without painful memories and heartache but it's also one of commitment, love and faith. it's almost like a prequel to the baxter family series if you've been following them like i have been through the years. i like the powerful reminder of how we're impacted by family and by love.<br />
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<b><i>what hope remembers</i></b> is all about second chances. as the third book in the <i>misty willow</i> series, amy somers has burned her bridges but the life of luxury is what she misses most from her old life. gabe kendall was in the wrong place at the wrong time and he paid the price for it. after serving his prison sentence, he goes to misty willow and helps out his aunt tess who doesn't tell him that it's more than she can handle financially. there's an offer from a developer and when Tess changes her mind, that's when the trouble begins. If you love a little romance and some mystery, then this one is definitely calling your name!<br />
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<b><i>naomi's hope</i></b> is the third and final installment of jan drexler's <i>journey to pleasant prairie series</i>. naomi schrock is settling into her indiana amish community in 1846 with her adoptive son, davey. widower cap stolzfus moves in nearby and becomes a friend to davey. when a troublemaker from his past shows up as a minister, cap struggles with forgiveness. then a family shows up to the settlement claiming that davey is the nephew of their now deceased sister and brother-in-law. when davey follow his "real family," naomi's heart is broken to pieces. naomi must learn to trust God and cap must learn to leave things in God's hands.<br />
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<b><i>runaway, the</i></b> is a debut novel from claire wong. rhiannon lives in a small welsh village and after an angry exchange of words with her aunt, she makes good on her threat to run away. she makes her way into dyrys wood and must figure out a way to survive. alone. her disappearance causes a rippling effect among her community and a dark story comes to light that has been woven in stories by the village story teller, maebh. when two tourists come to town in search of some answers, rhiannon has no idea of the difference they will make in her life. together, they may have a part in keeping history from repeating itself. this is a breathtakingly beautiful story about community and the power of forgiveness.<br />
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melody carlson invites readers to the historic city of savannah in her latest, <b><i>under a summer sky: a savannah romance</i></b>, book 3 in her series, <i>follow your heart</i>. nicole anderson has been feeling stuck and her mother knows it. mom decides to take matters into her own hands and before nicole has time to process things, she is sent off to manage a friend of the family's art gallery in savannah! feeling highly unqualified, nicole has to navigate through angry employee issues in the gallery, parenting issues and being caught between two brothers and their ongoing sibling rivalry conflict! it's not exactly the quiet summer of painting she anticipated. but at last she's unstuck finally! you're going to love this feel good and heartwarming story!!! and thanks to melody, travel and tourism to savannah has just increased by 100%!!!<br />
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<b><i>trusting grace</i></b> by maggie brendan wraps up the series, <i>virtues and vices of the old west</i>. in this story, brendan takes readers back in time to 1866 in montana territory. grace bidwell is a young childless widow who is trying to maintain her late husband's farm while taking care of her father who has suffered from a stroke. grace loves children and is outraged when she discovers three young siblings camping out on her land with no adult nearby. meanwhile, her best friend is trying to set her up with her husband's new partner in his law firm. will grace choose a life of leisure or take a risk with the father of the three young children? you'll have to read this one and find out the outcome!five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-20607894301967319712017-04-30T21:27:00.005-05:002017-04-30T21:41:28.257-05:00march - april 2017<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a note from me:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">happy spring, dear reading friend!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we had an incredibly mild winter, beautiful warm temps here and there and lots of rain. and rain. and more rain. this is never good news for our basement and we are so over the experience of water removal with all the mini floods we've been having. i am trying to remain thankful because pouring rain means a continuously washed car and we haven't experience 5.5 feet of water in our basement again... yet! i'm thankful that the rain will keep all the beautiful flowers, trees and gardens watered and the allergens subdued for a while! i'm thankful that God's faithfulness is something we can depend on and it's new every morning (lamentations 3:22-23)! so, what are you thankful for?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i am really excited about sharing these five star reads with you---thank you for reading and sharing my blog site with your friends and family!!! i'll close with one of my favorite bible verses from psalm 36:5... "your unfailing love, o Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">blessings & happy reading!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">susan, your reading mom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">jer. 29:11</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">fiction:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>sandpiper cove</i></b> is all about second chances in this third installment of the series, <i>a hope harbor novel</i> by irene hannon. i love this story that's set in a charming little seaside village with a host of warm-hearted characters that reside there like father murphy, charley, bj and reverend baker. it's a town where an ex-con like adam stone and a mother and son duo, brenda and brian hope to find a fresh start. hope harbor police chief lexie graham is focused on keeping her hometown safe and being a good mom to her little boy so she's caught off guard when sparks begin to fly between her and someone who is her polar opposite! this story of faith, love and second chances will definitely warm your heart!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>still life</i></b> is the second book in the series, <i>chesapeake valor</i> by dani pettrey. as always, pettrey delivers a gripping story that is full of life-threatening danger, suspense and twists and turns that will have you on. the. edge. of. your. seat. when i read, i get so absorbed in the story that it becomes my reality until the phone chimes or someone in my family tries to get my attention! and it's probably why i don't like to read suspense and mystery books before going to bed! but pettrey's writing has a way of drawing you in (against my will!!!) that makes you want to stay up through the night to race against time with crime-scene photographer avery tate and her former partner, crime-scene analyst parker mitchell. a replaced masterpiece in a black dahlia-inspired photography exhibition and a missing model are just the tip of the iceberg in this mystery. the last three paragraphs on page 341 are highly disturbing and that can only mean that there's more life-threatening danger ahead. stay posted for the review of book three that's due in october 2017!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>stolen heart, a</i></b> takes you back in time to 1880 to texas hill country and this is the first book in a new series called <i>the cimarron creek trilogy</i> by amanda cabot. fans of cabot's <i>texas dreams trilogy</i> will get to see what happened to some of those characters from that series and meet a whole new group of people in here! by all appearances, cimarron creek seems like an idyllic town to former school teacher lydia crawford but the resentment of northerners comes across loud and clear. but lydia is on a mission and she intends to find her fiancee edgar ellis who is somewhere in this little town. but lydia gets the shock of her life when she finds out edgar is missing. and that's not the only thing. get ready to fall in love with this town and especially with Aunt Bertha (she's the best!!!)!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>trail of crumbs, a: a novel of the great depression</i></b> is a story of hope in the midst of devastation by susie finkbeiner. this is book two in the <i>pearl spence novels</i> series (<i>a cup of dust</i> was reviewed in an earlier blog entry) and the more i hear pearl's strong young voice, the more i absolutely love this kid! pearl is a ten-year-old living in oklahoma in 1935. she's smart, fearless, inquisitive and fiercely loyal to the ones she loves. she's gone through more in her ten years than the average person and what hurts the most is the lost of her meemaw (book 1). but pearl knows that things are not always easy in life so she clings on to her faith and the memories of the lessons she's learned from her meemaw. and she'll need everything she's learned because the tragedy that occurs in chapter two is just the beginning of things to come for the spence family. since reading a cup of dust, susie finkbeiner has quickly become one of my favorite authors and i can't wait to review book 3 for you!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>when tides turn</i></b> by sarah sundin captures the patriotism of women serving during world war II. this third installment finishes the series, <i>waves of freedom</i> and you'll get to follow glamour girl quintessa (tess) beaumont in her journey with the navy through the waves program. tess longs to be seen for more than just a pretty face. she wants to make a difference and maybe even capture the respect and the eye of a certain man who thinks the navy is no place for a woman... with a princess name. you're going to love tess!!! she's beautiful, spunky, sparkly and determined!!! and she's the only one who can coax a smile out lt. dan avery and maybe even change his mind about romance interfering with his naval goals. this story is a blend of friendship, romance, intense battle scenes and intrigue that i know you'll love!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>you'll think of me</i></b> is the newest release from robin lee hatcher that includes a personal real-life issue she shares with the main character brooklyn myers. this is a moving story of a women's return to her hometown where most of her memories hold only heartache and abandonment. unusual circumstances bring her back home with her ten-year-old daughter and brooklyn has her work cut out for her. her next door neighbor blames her for ruining his plans for expanding his business, her father wants nothing to do with her, the house she inherited is a mess and she desperately needs a job. what's a girl to do? brooklyn knows that she is not the same person she was a decade ago and has to depend on her faith to get through her challenges. don't miss the note from robin, the discussion questions (perfect for your reading group) and the excerpt from a paper she wrote years ago about this real-life crisis in our society. robin always writes from her heart and i know you're going to love this one as much as i did!!!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">youth fiction:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">good news, friends! the <b><i>trailblazer books</i></b> (action-packed adventure novels where christian heroes are introduced) by dave and neta jackson are back in print!!! there are 40 books in the series so think ahead about summer reading! i remember my daughter reading this series when she was younger and i'm excited that a whole new generation of children will get acquainted with these christian greats from history. thank you, dave and neta!!! another thing i love about this versatile series is that there are eight free curriculum guides available for any home educator interested in building lesson plans. you can order your books directly from <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.trailblazerbooks.com&source=gmail&ust=1488587842766000&usg=AFQjCNGd1HTYVh1ucDQBojKvM5OL3KOXFg" href="http://www.trailblazerbooks.com/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">www.trailblazerbooks.com</a>.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">non-fiction:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>overcomer: breaking down the walls of shame and rebuilding your soul</i></b> is a <i>must read</i> book by aubrey sampson which help women dismantle seven lies shame tells women. sampson shares some painful memories and takes you on a journey with her toward healing and restoration. sampson is authentic, vulnerable (so inspiring!) and hilariously funny (check out her "an open letter to the latest media darling who lost all her baby weight at warp speed on pp.44-45!)! i like the practical tools (the chart on pg. 65 is powerful!) along with the biblical truth she teaches. there are incredible quotes, discussion questions after every chapter, a prayer and an inspirational story which makes this a great candidate for your next book club or women's bible study!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>spoonful of grace, a: mealtime blessings in bite-sized pieces</i></b> by annette hubbell is a collection of 366 scripture, prayers and a discussion starter called "grace notes" that will add to your family's prayer life and give you something to talk about during mealtime. each one takes about two-minutes to read through (no one is going to starve to death during the reading) and i love that it works for any age. there are topics such as holidays, birthdays, etc. i absolutely love the idea that the grace notes section will allow you to launch a discussion from that segment covering topics such as ways to be kind to difficult people in your life, expecting great things from God, etc. this is a one-of-a-kind book that will definitely make family time more meaningful!</span><br />
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five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-47423093672869626372017-02-28T13:28:00.001-06:002017-03-01T17:05:43.762-06:00january - february 2017<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a note from me:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">oh my stars, reading friend!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">i am beyond excited to share my five star picks with you!!! you'll find reviews on engaging fiction, exciting options for youth and young adult fiction, some <i>must read</i> non-fiction (yes, check out my two favorites i've reviewed!!!) and a relevant family-friendly resource for parents of toddlers by dr. mary manz simon!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">thank you for all your feedback and support you've given me. i really appreciate it when you "share" my fb page and tell your friends about this blog site.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">my skin and allergies have been sensitive to all the weather changes we've been experiencing lately. how about you?!? i'm reminded that seasons (& the weather!!!) will always change, but God's love and faithfulness always remain constant. i want to share a favorite verse (one of many!) from psalm 36:5 "your unfailing love, o Lord, is as vast as the heavens' your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Be encouraged, friend!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">happy reading!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">blessings & love,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">susan, your reading mom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">jer. 29:11</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fiction:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;"><b><i>elusive miss ellison, the</i></b> is the regency romance debut novel by carolyn miller from her <i>regency brides: a legacy of grac</i>e series. having just watched pride & prejudice (with kiera knightley), i was ready to be transported to regency england! lavinia ellison is the daughter of the minister and she's intelligent, opinionated and always ready to speak her mind! lavinia's heart for the poor and needy clashes with the new earl of hawkesbury and his indifference toward those suffering in the village. she takes every opportunity to remind him his responsibilities and their </span><span style="font-family: '"helvetica neue"', '"arial"', '"helvetica"', sans-serif;">witty and spirited exchanges are quite comical! this charming story will leave you enchanted and wanting more from miller!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>justice delayed</i></b> is a memphis cold case novel by patricia bradley where romance, danger and suspense coincide. i love anything by patricia bradley!!! andi hollister's sister was murdered eighteen years ago and the confessed killer's execution date is approaching. but a letter surfaces and the content is disturbing. detective will kincaide is committed to helping andi find justice because the case has taken a personal twist and turn. there's a missing diamond mystery and murdered people begin to pile up... see if you can crack this case before will and andi do!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>lady in disguise, a</i></b> by sandra byrd is the third and final installment of the series, <i>daughters of hampshire</i> coming your way in march! as a new heiress, gillian young remembers her father as kind and well-repected member of the police force; however, her father's colleagues are hinting that her father may have had a role in something illegal. gillian is determined to get to the bottom of things and clear her father's name, but someone is trying to stop her. gillian must figure out who she can trust and who is betraying her confidence before time runs out. as you read this intriguing romance and mystery novel set in victorian england, you will love gillian's courage and heart of compassion! this novel sheds light on exploited children and child trafficking in 1883.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>moon bow night</i></b> by laura frantz is a richly detailed historical novel that takes you into the kentucke wilderness in 1777. temperance grace (tempe for short) loves the wonders of nature. she knows the ridges, the meadows and the hollows by heart. she can outshoot any man, find any trail and move from place to place undetected in the forest. but tempe is harboring a family secret and the one man she holds in her heart and trusts was killed in a raid. when circumstances force her to be the hired guide for a virginian surveyor, tempe must learn to work with sion morgan and trust him in order to survive the wilderness with their scalps intact. frantz paints vivid and stunning pictures with her words as she draws you into the heart of kentucky.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>newcomer, the</i></b> by suzanne woods fisher is book 2 in <i>the historical amish</i> series where anna konig's journey continues after the ten weeks at sea. a brand new start on the pennsylvania frontier is exactly what anna and bairn bauer need after finding out that he was the bishop's son who was abducted when he was a child. bairn feels the call of the sea in his heart and after numerous clashes with his bishop father who seems to refuse to acknowledge his stolen youth, he takes a job on a ship for a few months. henrik newman joins the church and helps the church members get to their new land. when the bishop and his wife are nowhere to be found since they had left for the property ahead of time, it's up to henrik to help the church members figure out what to do. he's got his eye on anna even though her heart belongs to bairn, but things soon change when news comes that bairn's ship went up in flames and no one survived. in this one, true love is put to the final test and you'll never expect the twists that happens in the end!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>redeeming grace: ruth's story</i></b> is the third book in the <i>daughters of the promise land</i> series by jill eileen smith. smith weaves historical detail and imagination in her stories transporting you back to the times of the old testament where you get a sneak peak into the lives of the women there. you will adore boaz and adi, feel for naomi when she has to move from her beloved hometown and admire ruth for her resilience. this is a story of redemption, hope and the power of love that will draw you in from the moment you begin reading!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>rescue me</i></b> follows <b><i>wild montana skies</i></b> which was book one of the <i>montana rescue</i> series by susan may warren. as always, warren delivers danger and adventure in this one! deputy sam brooks and his brother pete do not see eye to eye. in fact, they're usually staying out of each other's ways with anger, bitterness and a whole lot of history at the root of their relationship. sierra rose is the perfect girl for him but it's willow, her sister who seems to touch his heart. pete wants to apply for the incident commander's job but all sam can see is his brother's lack of responsibility. when willow and sam and the new youth pastor take some kids on a hike, things quickly go south when the winter weather rapidly changes and they're suddenly in need of shelter and aid after a horrific accident. it's going to be up to pete to save his brother and the rest of the group. this one was an amazing read!!!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">young adult & youth fiction:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>prince warriors and the swords of rhema, the</i></b> is the epic conclusion of this best-selling series, <i>the prince warriors</i> by priscilla shirer with gina detwiler. the chapter opens with a race that quickly turns into something else when a dark circle appears in the water. join finn and the other prince and princesses as they learn the secret power of resistance and begin their journey to receive their swords. Readers are going to love the adventure, friendship, danger and intrigue that is trademark in this series that teaches tweens and adults about spiritual warfare and its consequences. this series also has a 365 devotional (<i style="font-weight: bold;">unseen </i>was reviewed in my last blog) and the smartphone app, <i>unseen: the prince warriors</i>, that go along with the series. your entire family will love this series!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>recruits</i></b> by thomas locke (pseudonym for award-winning author davis bunn) is a fast-paced and engaging read that fans of science fiction and fantasy will love!!! i asked my 10-year-old (a die-hard rick riordan only fan) to check this one out and when he got to page 21, he exclaimed, "this book is as good as rick riordan's books!!! i love it and i can't stop reading it!!!" this. one. is. a. winner. twins sean and dillon kirrel have dreamed of a world beyond their own. before they turn 18, they are approached by carver and are given the opportunity to prove themselves as recruits... within a time limit. when sean takes the step of faith, he realizes that everything he sees is just as his mind has imagined as a kid with his brother. and the rest is history...!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">non-fiction:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>children's ministry on purpose: a purpose-driven approach to lead kids toward spiritual health</i></b> addresses five key questions that are relevant for every children's ministry written by steve adams (he's the children's pastor at saddleback church in lake forest, ca). this resource is engaging and thought-provoking and will challenge leaders on finding purpose and intentionality in their ministry. this quote from adams really resonated with me... "a purpose driven children's ministry is an intentional and balanced discipleship process that leads kids toward spiritual health." Adams gives practical steps in leading kids, implementing change, developing a healthy team and more. he also focuses on how to get where you are going by being a leader people will follow. this is worth reading and passing on to anyone who is involved in children's ministry!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>when God says wait: navigating life's detours & delays without losing your faith, your friends, or your mind</i></b> is a well-written debut book by elizabeth laing thompson. this was one one my favorite reads on the subject of waiting on God and i think many will identify with thompson when she vulnerably shares her story of infertility. thompson is super hilarious (i totally relate to her feelings on camping!!!), witty and authentic!!! i think we would totally hit it off if we ever met in person and spent some time hanging out!!! i love that she encourages, inspires and challenges her readers using scripture, personal stories and examples in the bible. after every chapter, you will find a section on "waiting room reading" which will give you some more notes for further study along with a journal prompt and a prayer prompt. my favorite chapter was chapter 5 (<i>when prayer becomes a battleground</i>) and i love the faith building playlist to fight satan's lies on page 90. i think i can probably go on and on but you get the picture. this one is worth your time reading and sharing with others!!!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">family-friendly resources:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>first feelings: 12 stories for toddlers</i></b> is another home run hit for dr. mary manz simon! i've been a huge fan of mary for years---she writes from the heart, she writes from the head (she is a parenting expert and you can read her bio at <a href="http://www.marymanzsimon.com/about.html">http://www.marymanzsimon.com/about.html</a>) and she writes from experience as a mother and grandmother. i highly recommend you that you read the letter to parents first before you start reading to your child. you will find that this is a resource that will help your child learn "to identify his feelings and cope with them in a way that is not only socially acceptable but developmentally appropriate so they can become emotionally literate." but i love the fact that mary doesn't just stop there. she incorporates the importance of children knowing that God is always with them so they are secure and don't feel isolated when coping with feelings. she writes from a christian world view perspective so parents can empower children to know how they're feeling and how to cope with it with God's help. the trademark age-appropriate rhyming text, interactive questions and adorable illustrations will make this a "<i>read again and again and again</i>" favorite with your toddler!</span><br />
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<br />five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-9376829487506350832017-01-04T21:59:00.000-06:002017-01-04T22:30:54.669-06:00november - december 2016<span style="color: #444444;"><b>note from me:</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">happy new year, dear reading friend!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">i'm so excited to begin another year sharing my five star reads with you!!! please accept my apologies for not getting my reviews out by the last day of 2016 like i originally intended. we're still in "holiday" mode but </span><span style="color: #444444;">in just a blink of the eye, work and school will resume again and we'll be back to our "new" normal routine of life soon enough! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;">the beginning of 2017 marked the end of the journey for one special little girl: ava bright lee, a pint-sized warrior princess that i've been following for the past couple of years. you can read her story at <a href="http://fortheloveofavalee.blogspot.com/">http://fortheloveofavalee.blogspot.com</a> and prepare to cry, be inspired, feel the raw pain and be challenged because although her journey on earth has ended, her story will live on touching gazillions of lives.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;">the book of james reminds us that life is a vapor. you're here one minute and gone the next. it's why we should live our lives with intention. more than ever, God is showing me the importance of abiding in him. abiding in Christ means to allow his word to fill our minds so that it directs the intentions of our hearts (our will) and transforms our desires, our behavior, our actions, our thoughts and our words to align with the heart of God. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">my faith depends on it. so does yours. i want 2017 to be all about us abiding in Christ. i'll end this note with matthew 6:33 from the amplified bible: "but first and most importantly, seek (aim at, strive after) his kingdom and his righteousness [his way of doing and being right-the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">happy reading with blessings & love!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">your reading mom,</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">susan</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">jer. 29:11</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>fiction:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>christmas angel project, the</i></b> by melody carlson (i love her!!!) has four friends devastated over the loss of their group leader, abby. but abby has left them all something very specific that she made and it's up to them to discover what the gift means to them and how they can live it out as abby's angels. this is a <i>feel good</i> story that is both inspiring and heart-warming! melody writes from her heart and this story showcases it well.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>death in the shadows</i></b> by paul mccusker is a <i>father gilbert mystery</i> that will hold your attention captive from start to finish with this story covering the heavy topic of human sex trafficking. i love father gilbert. he's a former detective-turned-priest who ends up helping the police because of his supernatural encounters and investigative skills. he's wise, caring and relentless in his pursuit for justice. father gilbert is attending a conference in a little seaside town when he reads a local story of a murdered asian girl who worked at a local massage parlor. and then the visions begin and soon, father gilbert is assisting scotland yard with uncovering clues that will lead them to something bigger than any of them could have imagined. this one is a winner. well done, paul!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>cowboy christmas homecoming</i></b> is a collection of four historical novellas written by mary connealy, ruth logan herne, julie lessman and anna schmidt. i love how four heart-warming stories interweave the lives of four women who are trying to make their way in this wild country during a very cold winter. so, cozy up to the fireplace and enjoy your read with a warm cuppa!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>fatal frost</i></b> by nancy mehl is book 2 in the <i>defenders of justice</i> series. unbeknownst to her, u.s. marshal mercy brennan has something someone is desperately trying to get. at all cost. and that's why her boss and former boyfriend, deputy u.s. marshal mark st. laurent are determined to get her out of town until they can guarantee she's safe. someone's dirty in the office and neither of them are sure who they can trust except for each other. the details appear to be fool-proof until a freak ice storm has them stranded at a remote location. if you want suspense, extreme danger and heart-pounding moments, this one's for you! i love how nancy always integrates faith authentically in her stories!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>fear has a name</i></b> by creston mapes is book one in the series, <i>the crittendon files</i> which first came out in 2013 but is so worth checking out if you haven't discovered this series yet. this suspense thriller will have you on the edge of your seat and to be perfectly honest, i was only able to read this in the daytime! a missing pastor, deadly secrets and a stalker who knows too much about his family has jack crittendon on edge. while chasing down the clues for a huge story, jack will have to do everything he can to keep his family safe before the unthinkable happens. and then it does. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>guide me home</i></b> by kim vogel sawyer is set in 1907 and is a stand alone novel about the hardin family who have very little materially, but make up for it in love. rebekah wants to find a job at kentucky's renowned mammoth cave to help her father make enough so they can have a proper way to honor her beloved brother's memory. cissy loves her family but she's got big dreams and bigger suspicions that she may not be who she thinks she is. tolly sanford is an experienced guide and he has a soft spot for rebekah and her family. he understands the depth of grief the family has gone through after losing andy in mammoth cave. devlin bale is an aspiring cartographer who wants to earn his father's approval and help him in his political aspirations. the many tunnels and secrets of mammoth cave is the answer and he's determined to find a profitable opportunity. but someone else has the same idea and answers will have to be uncovered before the cave claims another. This is a perfect book to use with your book club as it comes with study guide questions in the back. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>kill fee, the</i></b> by fiona veitch smith is the second book in the <i>poppy denby investigates</i> series. as the arts and entertainment editor at <i>the daily globe</i>, it's up to poppy to cover the collection of russian art exhibition at the crystal palace. there's plenty of security at the exhibit so when the lights go out and a guard is shot, poppy's curiosity and investigative nose for a story immediately kicks into high gear. intrigue, mystery and a growing body count takes poppy and her colleagues on a race to uncover the killer before they strike again. smith does a believable job with her murder mysteries set in 1920's london featuring poppy denby. i love the historical details and reading about the mysteries of the faberge eggs and their secret compartments as well as the keepers of the treasures were fascinating!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>lucifer's harvest: the chronicles of hugh de singleton, surgeon</i></b> series by mel starr is definitely one of my favorite series!!! this is book 9 in the series where you will travel back in time to the medieval world of war between england and france. i love the strategy for taking down limoges's city walls and the various herbal concoctions that master hugh uses for various ailments as he tends injuries during battle! as always, there's a murder to be solved and master hugh must solve it to clear his name...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>sleigh bells ring</i></b> is a collection of four contemporary romance novellas by sandra d. bricker, barbara j. scott, lynette sowell and lenora worth. you're going to love the tucker sisters---in this book, the four tucker sisters have inherited their father's horse ranch for christmas. it's run down from years of little funds and now they have to make a decision on what it will take to get it ready to sell. joanna, as the oldest sister, knows that if they all work together, they will be able to fix up the ranch in time for christmas and then make a decision about the ranch. the only problem is that not all of them want to return for one last christmas on the ranch. these stories will touch your heart and make your stomach hungry for the yummy food that sarah weatherly prepares!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>undetected</i></b> by dee henderson is one of those books that makes you feel smarter after reading it (i can't even imagine the amount of research every book takes)!!! this story focuses on commander mark bishop, a navy man who fulfills his responsibilities well. mark is the type of guy you would want to introduce to all your single friends---he's responsible, kind, caring and a gentleman. and, he's ready to be married again after being widowed for several years. i love that his best friend jeff gray thinks his younger sister, gina would be a good match for mark but mark feels she may be too young for him at the eleven-and-a-half year difference between them. the two guys then focus on matching her up with someone closer to her age and someone they both approve on! you gotta love a story where a brother and his best friend are concerned about the relationship welfare of a younger sibling!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>unspoken</i></b> by dee henderson is a super intriguing story focusing on bryce bishop (yes, he's mark bishop's brother from <i>undetected</i>), a dealer in rare coins. he's been handpicked by charlotte graham and her circle of friends to sell a collection of coins that will blow his mind. once again, i feel a lot smarter after reading this story because i've gotten to learn about the world of selling and dealing with rare coins! charlotte graham is definitely fascinating and the mystery surrounding her story will be revealed later in the story (i'm <i>so</i> not giving it away now!!!). this story will definitely captivate you from start to finish!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>wild montana skies</i></b> by susan may warren is the first book of the <i>montana rescue</i> series where you can expect adventure, suspense and danger alongside faith and love! kacey fairing has returned home to mercy falls, montana where she needs time to heal from a horrific crash during her recent military tour in afghanistan. ben king is a successful country artist after leaving mercy falls for nashville. he's home again after thirteen years to help his father who needs help because of his dual broken hips. both kacey and ben have been asked to help with the peak search and rescue team by ben's dad, chet but neither of them realize his ulterior motives. chet is hands down my favorite character in this story!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>non fiction:</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>choosing real: an invitation to celebrate when life doesn't go as planned</i></b> by bekah jane pogue is all about "opting to see how present Jesus is in real-life circumstances." i also absolutely <b><u>love</u></b> this phrase from <i>choosing real...</i> "<i>choosing real</i> trusts God has a beautiful plan <i>in</i> the mess, <i>in</i> the scary, <i>in</i> the unknown, <i>in</i> the tears, and <i>in</i> not feeling enough." does this resonate with you, too?!? pogue writes in an easy - breezy - comfy manner that makes you feel like you're having a conversation with a bestie. she's authentic as she shares her own stories, scripture, practical advice and recipes involving... chocolate!!! this is perfect reading to start your new year because a <i>new year</i> means a <i>new me</i> (i'm totally borrowing this phrase from my daughter!!!), right?!?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>family-friendly resources:</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>where does love hide?</i></b> by mary manz simon is a fun lift-the-flap book that's perfect </span>for children ages 1 through 4. the adorable illustrations, aged-appropriate text and the important life lesson we can teach our children makes this one another winner from mary (i have yet to find something i didn't absolutely adore from her)!!! teaching children to look for ways they can show love is important when we live in an "it's-all-about-me" generation world that endorses entitlement. thank you, mary for writing relevant books that remind parents that it's never too early to start teaching our children about what's important in life.</span><br />
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five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-11729329745207960652016-10-31T20:56:00.001-05:002016-10-31T21:29:13.179-05:00september - october 2016<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a note from me:</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">happy fall, dear reading friend!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">what a full couple of months it has been, right?!? </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i'm so excited to share my FIVE STAR picks with you!!!</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> if you're starting your research on finding the perfect christmas gifts, then you won't want to miss some of these books i've reviewed for you!!! i'm especially excited about the cookbook i've reviewed and the fiction for youth along with the companion devotional (check out my nonfiction for youth) in this post!!!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for the longest time ever, the topic of our presidential candidates have been front and center in the news, social media, conversations, etc.! what's a follower of Jesus to do?!? remember this: Jesus IS King no matter who ends up in the oval office.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">as a follower of Jesus, we can be certain that this is the way we are to live according to colossians 3:17 "and whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the father."</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">thank you for spreading the love and telling your friends about my <b>five star</b> picks!!!</span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">happy reading with blessings & love! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">your reading mom, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">susan</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">jer. 29:11</span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">fiction</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>another day another dali</i></b> by sandra orchard is book two in the series, <i>a serena jones mystery</i>. reading friends, i absolutely <u>love</u> this series!!! in fact, i want to be friends with serena jones!!! yes, she's that cool. fbi special agent serena jones is on a case "unofficially" as a favor for her grandmother. someone is replacing valuable paintings with forgery and serena is determined to follow the trail. if she can find the forger, they may lead her to the ring of thieves. as her evidence begins to grow, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">serena</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> stumbles on clues that may point to something more personal. on top of all the craziness, her fan club in the male department seems to be growing (i'm rooting for tanner!)!!! i just know you'll love this one as much as i did!!!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>artisan's wife, the</i></b> by judith miller is the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">third</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and final book in the <i>refined by love</i> series following the mckay family members. twin sisters, </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ainslee and adaira are moving to weston, west virginia to run the tile works business that their brother, ewan mckay has purchased. this venture is more of adaira's idea than ainslee's, but she agrees to go with her two because she is the one who can take care of the books and other practical matters of the business. so you can only imagine her dismay, anger and fear when adaira makes a choice that turns ainslee's world upside down! this story will make you sad (you'll read about the lunatic asylum), make you smile (enter levi judson!) and fill you with hope!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>baxter family christmas, a</i></b> by karen kingsbury (you know how much i love her!!!) is a story that you will need to read beside your box of kleenexes!!! oh my stars. i have such a cry headache now!!! karen writes from the heart and it's clear she loves the baxter family---in fact, they mirror her own family at times. it's the holidays and there's nothing like having all the baxters together. but john has invited someone over for christmas eve and for the first time ever, some of the family may not join because of the invited guest. you will go down on a trip to memory lane, fall in love and watch the magic of the baxter family unfold as they get through a challenging holiday together in an unforgettable way. i am soooooooo excited that roma downey is bringing the "baxter family" to life as the producer for this television series (based on karen's 23 book series)!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>can't help falling</i></b> by kara isaac is a story you are going to love!!! emelia mason has come to oxford, england to redeem herself. she loves all things narnia and her first encounter with peter carlisle is when he finds her inside a narnian-esque wardrobe in an antique shop! peter is in search of the last piece to his mother's collection and his encounter with this american girl will be life-changing. both of them are c.s. lewis fans and both have a dream----one to make it to the top and the other to start over again. both need a second chance but the secret emilia is hiding will destroy everything she's ever hoped for. warning: once you start this one, you won't be able to put it down until you're finished because that's what happened to me!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>devoted, the</i></b> by suzanne woods fisher is the third book in the series, <i>the bishop's family</i>. ruthie stoltfus has received her high scores from passing the ged and the feelings of restlessness combined with feeling unsettled about her future weighs heavily on her mind. she loves her family but wonders what else is out there for her. her charming ex-boyfriend attracts trouble and ruthie has finally had enough. but luke shrock is determined to win her back. when ruthie meets englisher patrick kelly, a young man who wishes to convert to amish and learn the language and other amish skills in 30 days, she's intrigued. patrick sees the ordinary amish ways as something more which in turn, gives ruthie new perspective. in the meantime, her bishop father is sensing issues among the people of stoney ridge that he hasn't been able to put into words and trying to lead and guide his people have been daunting as he prays for wisdom. i love how suzanne draws me into the lives of the people of stoney ridge---it's worth the journey!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>domino effect, the</i></b> by davis bunn captivated me right from the start! davis has this incredible gift of making his stories (that are influenced from his years in the international banking industry) so compelling that you quickly forget that you're reading a work of fiction. he's the only one i've ever met who can make global banking, numbers and investment strategies so incredibly interesting!!! esther harding is my hero. she has the most to lose once she uncovers the truth that is a worldwide ticking bomb... this fast-paced suspense novel will have you questioning what is truth and what is fiction when it comes to the global economy. get ready for a thrilling read!!!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>end of the roadie: a mystery for d.i. costello</i></b> by elizabeth flynn has detective inspector angela costello putting together the clues to the mystery of one man's death. rock-star brendan phelan knows how to put on a show which includes cracking whips and gunshots in sync to the music. but the gunshot after the show is what brings d.i. angela costello and her team forward as they solve a mystery involving the death of a not-so-liked roadie with secrets. the crew is not coming forward with <i>everything</i> they know and costello and her team will have to figure out a way to break the silence or they'll never catch the killer...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>heart most certain, a</i></b> by melissa jaguars is book 2 in <i>the teaville moral society</i> series. lydia king is to be engaged to the town's wealthiest man but her heart isn't in it because she's only obeying her parent's wishes. when she is given the challenge to secure funding for a quilting project, lydia must prove to her future mother-in-law that she can be resourceful and solicit donations from the town's wealthiest and stingiest benefactor. i love lydia's tenacity!!! in the end, she learns how she can make a difference with those at the bottom rung of society.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>lady unrivaled, a </i></b>by roseanna m. white is the grand finale in this series, <i>ladies of the manor</i>. if you are a fan of downton abbey, then you are going to love this series!!! set in 1913, you will fall in love with the castle and the rich details and contrast between the nobility and those who serve them! the mysterious fire eye diamonds have cursed all those who have been connected with it and lady ella myerston is determined to get to the bottom of it. but she's not the only one after the gems. this is a lovely story steeped in mystery, romance, danger and unsavory characters! i absolutely loved it!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>love's faithful promise</i></b> by susan anne mason is the third book in the <i>courage to dream</i> series. deirdre o'leary is looking forward to the day when she can complete medical school and practice pediatric medicine, but her plans are put on hold when her mother suffers a stroke. set in 1922, this story will take you back in time! i love the characters (especially mrs. o'leary!!!) and the different stories about the various o'leary siblings that are interwoven to make this story complete. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>love transformed, a</i></b> by tracie peterson is the final book in <i>the sapphire brides</i> series which is set in new york city and turn-of-the-century montana. clara vesper was forced into a loveless marriage by her mother and now that her husband has suddenly died, she is determined to take control of her own life. as the designer of sapphire jewelry while her husband and his brother took credit for her designs, clara now finds herself widowed and penniless with two small children. she returns to montana to be with her favor aunt and uncle who are sheep ranchers never dreaming that danger will follow her in light of her late husband's affiliations. whew! get ready for some adventure and danger ahead!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>mattie's pledge</i></b> by jan drexler continues the saga of the schrock family in this second book of the series <i>journey to pleasant prairie</i>. mattie schrock is used to her father picking up and relocating the family. she dreams of life beyond the mountains and the adventures that just beyond her reach. jacob yoder is the opposite. he yearns for stability and roots... and mattie schrock's heart! when mattie meets an englisher who promises her adventure and thrills, she has to make a decision that will change the course of her life and dreams.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>name i call myself, the</i></b> by beth moran is hilarious, witty and engaging!!! you're going to love this one!!! faith is marrying perry--- a rich, gorgeous and wonderful man. it's a <i>pinch me</i> type of dream but it's his mother who has her waking up in nightmares! in the midst of the out-of-control wedding planning, faith and her best friend join a choir... accidentally. you're going to love hester, the choir director and all the woman in that choir!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>progeny, the</i></b> by tosca lee is a heart-pounding thriller that is intriguing, captivating and full of fascinating characters! emily porter is twenty-one years old and in a letter written to herself, she discovers that her name isn't real. someone is after her or after something she has but she has no recollection why. all she knows is that she can't go digging in the past and she has to stay away from the internet. emily has to figure out who is trustworthy and how to uncover the secrets that haunt her and are life threatening to everyone around her. the ending is a cliff hanger and i can't wait until tosca delivers book 2 in the spring of 2017!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>tangled webs</i></b> by irene hannon is the third and final book in the series, <i>men of valor</i> focusing on finn mcgregor. finn is taking some time to regroup and recover from some injuries when he meets his nearest neighbor in the dead of night after a horrendous piercing scream. staying at her grandfather's lakeside cabin should be peaceful for dana lewis, but now her safety may be in jeopardy. finn becomes the one person she can rely on and it's going to be a rocky road uncovering the secrets that begin to surface. i love the mcgregor brothers (!) and can't wait to review Shannon's next novel, <b><i>sandpiper cove</i></b> coming this spring!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>tapestry of secrets, a</i></b> by sarah loudin thomas is a beautiful story that will capture your heart! perla phillips has a secret and she is desperate to share it because <i>it is time</i>. but when she suffers a stroke, she loses the ability to communicate. her granddaughter, ella has returned home to help her aunt sadie care for perla and ella's relationship with her grandmother has always been special. when sadie reveals her mission to locate the one person who may have answers, ella is reluctant to go along and help her because it may mean breaking her grandmother's trust. this heartwarming story is about forgiveness, courage and love.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>when love arrives</i></b> by johnnie alexander is a stand alone novel that i absolutely loved!!! dani prescott is on a mission to find a way to bring down the man who has defamed her mother's reputation. she just never expected to get to know the real brett somers and now she has a dilemma because she's in too deep. accepting her dream job has never made her feel so guilty! when brett stumbles on the evidence she's been hiding, dani has no where to go but far away to a job she doesn't have a heart for. this is one of those stories that will have you rooting for love!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>where two hearts meet</i></b> by liz johnson is book 2 in the <i>prince edward island dreams</i> series. i adore this series and the characters have seriously made their way into my heart!!! executive chef caden holt loves her kitchen at rose's red door inn but when a former competitive islander returns, caden fears for her job. but that's not all. rose's red door inn is in financial trouble and it's up to caden to impress a prestigious magazine's travel writer and show him around her island. no pressure, right?!? and then there's the famous north shore lobster cook-off that caden needs to win. for once... instead of coming in second place like she has every year. this is a heartwarming story about stepping outside of your comfort zone and exhaling God's grace throughout the obstacles in life. i can't wait until book 3 which is coming our way summer 2017 (you'll find a sneak peak into chapter 1 at the end of the book)!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fiction for youth</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>prince warriors and the unseen invasion, the</i></b> by priscilla </span></span><span style="color: #444444;">shirer with gina detwiler is book two in this popular tween fiction trilogy series, <i>the prince warriors</i>. tween readers (actually, it doesn't matter what your age is!!!) will come away with a clearer understanding of spiritual warfare based on ephesians 6:10-18. this story is engaging, full of adventure and easy to read!!! young readers who are fans of fantasy genre should definitely be introduced to this series so think ahead to christmas, because this series makes a great gift for the readers in your family (book 1 is called <i>the prince warriors</i> which introduces brothers evan and xavier and their friends)!!! priscilla shirer is one of my favorite bible teachers and her heart for tweens and biblical truth comes through passionately in this series!!! check out my review of the new companion devotional below in the <b>nonfiction</b> <b>for youth</b>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nonfiction</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>hungry is a mighty fine sauce: recipes & rambling from the belle of all things southern</i></b> by shellie rushing tomlinson is filled with 125 recipes, beautiful photography, belle tips and stories! the stories will warm your heart and some of them will make you laugh-out-loud, so don't skip them while you're checking out all the delicious looking recipes!!! whether you're a southern belle or not, you're going to love this collection of recipes from the heart!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>wait and see: finding peace in God's pauses and plans</i></b> by wendy pope (of the ministry, proverbs 31) will encourage you through your life seasons of waiting. and waiting. i can't tell you how timely this book has been for me!!! You'll find scriptural examples, journaling opportunities and real-life stories to encourage you as it did for me. hang on, friend because God teaches us valuable lessons while we learn to wait well on him. i like that you can use this book individually or in a small group setting---try it and let me know how it goes for you!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>nonfiction</b> <b>for youth</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>unseen: the prince warriors</i></b> by renowned bible teacher priscilla shirer is a 365 devotional that helps engage tweens in their spiritual walk. i love that this devotional gives them scriptural tools to help them be victorious during times of spiritual warfare. priscilla clearly communicates the reality of spiritual warfare in a way that young readers will understand and it helps to have the connection between the devotional and <i>the prince warrior series</i>! the look of this devotional is aesthetically appealing and the language is relevant and age-appropriate. kudos to the b&h team for their work on this devotional!!! by the way, moms, there's a coordinating smartphone app that accompanies the series so add this devo on your christmas gift shopping list!!!</span></span>five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-78158249422820367012016-08-31T13:01:00.002-05:002016-08-31T13:01:40.008-05:00july - august 2016<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a note from me:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hello, dear reading friend!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">welcome to my blog where i share my favorite five star reads with you!!! i hope you find something for yourself and for someone you love!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">how are you?!? our family is entering a new season of life as we get used to a new normal without our favorite daughter/sister (college) and my husband's traveling schedule. but i'm filled with gratitude as i look back and see how God has faithfully provided!!! he is without a doubt... <i>Jehovah Jireh</i> (the Lord who provides or YHWH will provide).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;">one of my favorite "go to" verses for this season of my life is found here...</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;">1 thessalonians 5:16-18 "always be joyful. never stop praying. be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">i hope you find some encouragement from that verse! whatever you're going through and whatever situation you're in, know that you will be in my prayers. email me your prayer requests and concerns at <a href="mailto:thereadingmom@gmail.com">thereadingmom@gmail.com</a>. i can't wait to hear from you!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: '"arial"', '"helvetica"', sans-serif;">happy reading with </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: '"arial"', '"helvetica"', sans-serif;">blessings & love!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;">your reading mom, susan :o)</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">jer. 29:11</span>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>fiction</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>eden hill</i></b> is the debut novel by bill higgs (he's the husband of one of my favorite authors to interview, award-winning liz curtis higgs)!!! the colorful characters of eden hill, a little town in kentucky have grown up and lived there all their lives. family loyalty goes very deep. very little changes in eden hill and that's fine with most everyone; however, the winds of change are in the air and no one feels it more than virgil t. osgood, owner of the only service station in eden hill. someone has purchased the property directly across his lot with a big sign, "coming soon - zippo super service station." cornelius alexander III is determined to provide well for his wife and unborn baby which is why the zipco franchise is the answer to all the dreams he wants to make true for his family. but they're the newcomers to eden hill and the inhabitants of eden hill will be faced with what the practical answer looks like to the question Jesus asked... "who is my neighbor?" besides having the best names (virgil, mavine, cornelius, arlie and lula mae to name a few!), these characters are going to make their way into your heart!!! this nostalgic era story touches on the themes of marriage, loyalty, contentment and the command to love our neighbors.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>elegant solution, an</i></b> by paul robertson takes you back to eighteenth-century switzerland where a family is divided by ambition, secrets and maybe even... murder. young math prodigy leonhard euler is being groomed and trained hoping that one day, he will be selected for mathematics physics chair in basel. he has been given the assignment to solve the puzzle that is so complicated that he will uncover brilliant minds with greedy motives, blackmail and more. now it's up to him to find answers and provide an elegant solution with drastic measure to change the future by altering the present! if you like mathematics and history, then i know you're going to love this one!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>honor redeemed</i></b> by christine johnson is the second book in the series, <i>keys of promise</i>. after the death of her mother, prosperity jones leaves the safety of nantucket to take a ship to find her fiancee lt. david latham in key west. but the last thing she expects to discover from the man she's expecting to marry occurs and prosperity is left with very little options. prosperity is courageous and a pretty incredible heroine---you'll find this story heartwarming and inspiring!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>missing</i></b> by lisa harris is book 2 in the series, <i>the nikki boyd files</i> where danger, suspense and mystery reign in this story. beginning with two dead bodies and the missing homeowners, nikki has her hands full following the hard-to-track trail of clues and time is ticking. a dead body shows up on her deceased best friend and her husband's boat and nikki must solve the link between them and the missing homeowners. a woman is running for her life and it's up to nikki to find her before it's too late. the dramatic ending is like a story from the tv shows criminal minds, csi or law and order!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>no other will do</i></b> by karen witemeyer is set in 1894 in baylor county, texas where emma chandler's established colony for women in need is in danger. threatening notes have been appearing and after shots have been fired at them by the mysterious assailant, she needs help from a man she can trust with all her heart. enter malachi shaw. he was saved by emma and her suffragette aunts in 1882 and now he has grown up and found a respectable job as an expert with the railroad. malachi will do anything for emma and her aunts and his pride in emma's independence and abilities have captured his heart. but she doesn't know that. now her life is in danger because there's someone in her colony working with the assailant and malachi must track down the cowardly bully who is trying to drive out the women of emma's colony, harper's station. it all boils down to one thing in the end... find out when you read this story!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>no way up</i></b> by mary connealy begins a new series called <i>the cimarron legacy</i>. cimarron ranch is owned by the bone's but when an accident forces the patriarch of the family to leave by train for additional treatment, everything changes for the independent siblings who have all found a life away from the ranch. justin, sadie and cole are shocked to discover that their father is committing them to live on the ranch for one year or it will pass on to a distant and questionable relative. the siblings are irate that they have to change their lives to accommodate their father's unfair demands but they have no choice. you'll find some romance, mystery, danger and a murder attempt in this new series. through these elements, the three siblings learn the importance of the legacy their father wants them to get.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>raven, the</i></b> by mike nappa is the second book in this <i>coffey & hill novel</i> series. first of all, i love mike nappa! his stories are impossible to put down once you begin reading!!! if you like crime fighting shows like criminal minds or law & order, then you'll love reading anything mike nappa. private investigators trudi coffey and samuel hill are working to beat the clock as they scramble to figure out the clues leading them to the rescue of one street magician (or deception specialist) who blackmailed the wrong person... and one other thing... his life depends on them finding him! get ready for a wild ride into the world of the ukrainian mafia!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>refining fire</i></b> by tracie peterson is book 2 in the <i>brides of seattle</i> series. militant scott is training at the madison bridal school in seattle which is run by her best friend's aunts. although her heart is not into the training, it's the perfect place to hide from her past. abrianna is militine's best friend and the two could not be more different! abrianna's faith is strong while militine feels alone in her doubts. when she meets a man who struggles with the same issues of faith, militine is drawn to him despite herself! i love abrianna's personality---she's exactly what militine needs in her life!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>second half, the</i></b> by lauraine snelling is a heartfelt story that will remind you of the strength of families pulling together. mona sorenson has launched a successful event planning business for the past four years but is she taking on more than she can handle with her depression issues from the past? kenneth, her husband is retiring from a successful career of being dean of students at stone university. his heart has been for the students and fighting the university politics regarding funding is wearing him down. now he feels like the legacy he built has been reduced to nothing. both of them are looking forward to their retirement years until an unexpected call from their son, a special forces officer in the army derails their plans. this is not the second half of their life they expected, but they both learn to trust in the One who has given them so much.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>soul of the matter, the</i></b> by bruce buff is definitely an intriguing story with suspense, relationships, science and faith! when his estranged brilliant friend is found dead under suspicious circumstances, it's up to dan lawson (formerly a cyber-intelligence analyst) to figure out what stephen bishop was working on. there is danger and evil at every turn and dan finds that he may need to return to the faith of his youth. can i tell you something? after reading this debut thriller on the mysteries of dna, faith and reasoning, i felt so much more smarter! i don't know why! You'll find this one available on september 13th!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>silence in the dark </i></b>by patricia bradley is the final book in the four-book series, <i>logan point</i>. bailey adams is serving on the mission field in chihuahua, mexico and her ex-fiance danny maxwell is shocked to find her there. but what is most surprising is the sudden danger bailey finds herself in and now she is on the run with one of the mission children, maria. the calatrava (a dangerous drug cartel) are involved and bailey has no idea who she can trust. all the people helping her along the way are in danger too, including danny maxwell and bailey is in danger not just for her life but her heart, as well. this is a fast-paced-danger-in-your-face kind of story, so hang on tight as you follow the kidnappings, murders and rescues! whew!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>what matters most</i></b> by kellie coates gilbert is the fourth book in the <i>texas gold collection</i>. leta breckenridge drops out of college to take care of bills for the facility her mom with dementia is in. after working crazy hours for little pay and satisfaction, she lands a job in a public relations firm where she is rewarded for her strong work ethic. but something is wrong and her dream job turns into a nightmare. leta is forced to make a decision in order to stand for her principles and the consequences may crush her. you'll learn about the world of politics in this one and root for nathan emerson, a rising political star who stands for integrity in a world that operates on the opposite! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>family-friendly resources</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>God made the sun</i></b> and <b><i>God made the moon</i></b> by mary manz simon are two of the cutest child-friendly board books ever! In addition to the sweet rhyming words and the lessons they teach, the cut out of the sun and the moon make it a lot more fun for little fingers. in <b><i>God made the sun</i></b>, children will hear the message that God made the sun to remind us of his love everyday. it goes through the different parts of the day and in different weather and the message remains that God's love is constant. in <b><i>God made the moon</i></b>, the message for little ears is the same---the moon is a reminder of the love God sends each night and that he's with us all night long. children are also reminded that God hears their prayers as the moon is God's natural night light for them! i love the messages of these two little books!!! your little ones are going to love hearing your read over and over of the message of the sun and moon! Yay to dr. mary manz simon for another five star hit for children and their parents!!!</span>
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five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-30496015375630652972016-06-30T13:08:00.002-05:002016-06-30T13:12:50.414-05:00may - june 2016<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a note from me:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hello, dear reading friend!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thank you for checking out my five star picks for you!!! i can't believe today is the last day in june. doesn't it feel like the summer has just started?!? so i challenge you---go m.a.d. (make a difference) this summer!!! look for a service project you and your family can engage in together. read books out loud with your children. serve at church. do random acts of kindness with your family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">whatever you do, remember this: "always be joyful. never stop praying. be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 thessalonians 5:16-18</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thank you for sharing this resource with your friends!!! i value your feedback, so feel free to email me at <a href="mailto:fivestarfaithbasedbooks@gmail.com">fivestarfaithbasedbooks@gmail.com</a>!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">happy reading with blessings & love!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">your reading mom,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">susan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">jer. 29:11</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>all summer long: a san francisco romance</i></b> by melody carlson is a story of love and second chances. this <i>feel good</i> story takes you on a journey with tia d'amico, the new chef of the pacific pearl. tia's aunt and uncle have inherited a luxury yacht in need of some tlc and they are hoping to turn it into an upscale floating restaurant. but an emergency prevents aunt julie from being onsite to supervise the renovations so it's up to tia and the yacht's captain to work together. The yacht's captain was tia's crush when she was 16 and their time together is what magical summer romances can be made of... except that Leo is engaged!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>almost like being in love</i></b> by beth k. vogt is a destination wedding novel that is a delightful, romantic and sweet read! i loved this one!!! caron hollister is a top ranking realtor but her rising career in her father's company comes to a screeching halt when he makes another well experienced realtor a partner in his business. her long-time boy friend alex is shocked by her sudden resignation. and when she suddenly decides to fly to colorado to be with her best friend margo, an- upcoming-bride-to-be, alex is thrown for a loop by caron's unpredictable behavior! when caron unexpectedly wins a destination wedding and honeymoon package at a bridal fair, she has to figure out a way to tell alex! this is a great book for book clubs because there's a "reading group guide," a "going deeper with the story guide," and a mini interview with vogt at the back of the book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>anchor in the storm</i></b> by sarah sundin is the second book in her <i>waves of freedom</i> series. this wwII mystery has romance, danger, suspense and elements of faith which remind us to put our hope in the Lord. i love lillian avery! although she has to work around her prothesis, she doesn't allow it to define her. she's plucky, creative and determined. when her brother brings home his best friend, society boy ensign archer vandenberg home, they get off on the wrong foot (pun intended!). but eventually, archer sees past her prothesis and lillian is able to see past what she perceives as a pampered society boy and they begin a friendship. and the friendship turns to love as they begin to solve a mystery together that may endanger lillian's life if she continues to follow her leads...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>broken ground</i></b> by karen halvorsen schreck is a moving story about a young widow, ruth warren, who starts her life over when she gets the opportunity to attend college in california in the 1930's. ruth lives day to day under a cloud of grief over the loss of her childhood sweetheart husband, but her observation of the mexican immigrant is what slowly changes her outlook on life. this touching story will stir your heart as you follow ruth through hard times and an unexpected event that forces her to leave school. you will be cheering ruth on as the circumstances threaten to break her spirit, but she ends up finding her purpose and calling in the most unlikely place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>every bride has her day</i></b> by janice thompson is book 3 in the <i>brides with style</i> series. when katie fisher gets engaged to the man of her dreams, everyone wants a say in what her perfect day should be like. but katie can't wait to show all her city friends how perfect a wedding in her small home town of fairfield can be! katie loves her home town and she loves that the people of fairfield care about each other and look out for one another like one big family. but when a misunderstanding gets out of hand, the entire town takes sides and suddenly, katie fears that her perfect day will be a disaster! janice delivers another hilarious story of love, laughter, romance and faith!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>fading starlight</i></b> by kathryn cushman is a tale of unexpected friendship between a girl who loves vintage handiwork and a reclusive former hollywood star. when lauren summer's dream internship turns into a nightmare on the red carpet, she is forced to take an unpaid job that comes with free lodging in a neighborhood with very strict rules and regulations. kendall joiner may be the key to getting lauren back in the world of fashion and design but the cost may be more than lauren is willing to pay. kendall wants a story that will uncover an old murder mystery involving the reclusive former hollywood star living in the nearby mansion of lauren's cottage. will lauren uncover the secrets of an older woman who doesn't trust the world? you can find out :o)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>from scratch</i></b> by c.e. hilbert takes you into the delectable aromas coming from only the basics bakery starring maggie mckitrick! the beautiful petite baker loves everyone in her new town except for her landlord, sean taylor, the town's police chief who refuses to address her complaints! so she does the next best thing to get his attention and eventually, a truce is formed. all is going well until a letter arrives for maggie plunging her heart in fear again. every little noise and thing out of place begins to make maggie fearful again. maggie is doing everything she can to keep her past behind her but sean taylor is determined to gain her trust and learn how to help the jittery baker who has intrigued his heart. her nightmare has returned and sean taylor will have to do everything in his power to gain maggie's trust and help her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>her one and only</i></b> by becky wade is set in texas and is all about football, family and an assignment that turns dru porter's world upside down! this is book 4 of <i>the porter family</i> novels. born and bred cowboys' football fan, dru porter is about to start her new assignment: protecting gray fowler, star nfl tight end of the mustangs, the cowboys' crosstown rivals! when the identity of the stalker is finally uncovered before the big charity event, there's a big sigh of relief... except for one little detail... i love all the characters in this story---they're believable, fiercely protective of one another and very likable! i finally learned the difference between the role of the tight end and the quarterback---yay for me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>life just got real</i></b> is a <i>live original fiction</i> by sadie robertson with cindy coloma. sixteen-year-old aj smith's world has turned upside down ever since her father passed away. now her mom has moved their family to nashville and she has to go to a new private school courtesy of an unknown benefactor. there are too many changes to deal with and a school full of rich girls who are nothing like aj's former life and friends. when a reality show opportunity comes to make her one of the major cast members along with the school's most popular girl, aj has to decide if she's in or out. i love that aj turns to God again and that she's reminded that faith matters even when she wants to run away from her problems.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>like a river from its course</i></b> by kelli stuart is a haunting story of war, forgiveness and hope as portrayed by various characters (based on true stories gathered from "fifteen years of research and interviews with ukranian world war II survivors") and their stories... maria ivanovna is only 14-year-old when she is forced away from her family to work at a german labor camp. ivan kyrilovich is mistaken for a jew and survives being shot and left to die. luda is 16-year-old when she is horrifically raped and abandoned by her father. frederick hermann spends his whole life trying to earn the approval of his father and... falls short. these stories will move you and touch your heart! my words of advice? don't skip the epilogue!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>murder comes by mail</i></b> by a. h. gabhart is an <i>on-the-edge-your-seat</i> mystery that is the second book in the series, <i>hidden springs mysteries</i>. the charming small town of hidden springs is beginning to lose its charm as mysterious photos of propped victims begin to appear. it's a race against time for deputy sheriff michael keane as he tries to protect the people he loves. i confess i was scared all the way to the end but i'm loving this series and hope to share more reviews with you from a. h. gabhart!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>precious in his sight</i></b> by karen pashley is a stirring story set in south carolina where successful architect clay brennan and his lovely wife, sugar live. they have a beautiful marriage, two successful children, a lovely home and are active in their church. but clay is hiding a secret which will destroy everything he holds dear to his heart. this is a story about trusting God, forgiveness and choosing to follow God even when it's humanly impossible to do so. pashley does a fantastic job shaping her characters into real humans with deep emotions. their stories will draw you in so keep those kleenexes close by because you're going to need them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>quieting, the</i></b> by suzanne woods fisher is book two in the series, <i>the bishop's family</i>. this engaging story takes you back to stoney ridge where there's a huge issue in the church that is causing division. when david stoltzfus gets a surprise visit from his overbearing mom and two nieces to "help" solve his problems, his family's world is turned upside down! this story is a reminder that sometimes, the best intentions can produce the opposite effect and sin is sin no matter how you may want to justify it. book clubs will love the discussion questions and readers will get attached to the families of stoney ridge!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>sea rose lane</i></b> by irene hannon is <i>a hope harbor novel</i> that takes readers back to a charming fictional town on the lovely oregon coast. eric nash was on the partner track working over 60 hours a week at his law firm until he was given the boot. now he's returned home to find that his childhood home is being turned into a bed and breakfast by his father. right from the get go, eric and the architect and construction foreman, bj stevens clash. his judgmental attitude toward her crew makes bj's blood boil but everyone she respects seems to hold him in high regard. bj doesn't know what to think when she begins to see the non irritating side of eric! i love eric's special moments with charley the artist who runs a food truck with the best tacos on earth. they are really heartwarming! i want a charley in my life, too!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>sins of the past </i></b>is a romantic suspense novella collection by dee henderson, dani pettrey and lynette eason. dee henderson's "<i>missing</i>" is a disturbing story about a sheriff's missing mother. dani pettrey's "<i>shadowed</i>" takes you back to alaska where the body of a swimming competitor is found. lynette eason's "<i>blackout</i>" is a story about a woman and her unreliable memory of one night when a robbery goes wrong. the loot has never been found but someone believes she knows where it is hidden. these three suspense novellas are easy-to-read and fast-paced enough to keep you engaged! what a 3 for 1 bargain!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>someone like you</i></b> by victoria bylin is a contemporary fiction novel (one of my very favorite genres!) set in southern california (oh how i miss you). zeke monroe is determined to bring caliente springs back to life with improvements and more opportunities to draw in potential clients, but time and the lack of funding are not on his side. when an opportunity to impress dare to dream events planner, zeke is reunited with a former girlfriend... julia dare. julia left because of zeke's faith and now, her life has changed because of faith and a secret. zeke is carrying around a secret, too and julia may discover it. i loved this sweet story---you'll find the encounters with ladybug absolutely hilarious!!! this is a perfect take-along-to-the-beach book!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>traces of guilt</i></b> is an <i>evie blackwell cold case</i> novel by dee henderson. as usual, dee never disappoints in delivering a gripping action packed story full of suspense, drama and faith (much better than watching law & order or csi!!!) with her trademark inspirational romantic suspense. there's a few troubling missing-persons cases that deserve a second look - a missing family of three, a missing little six-year-old girl, a relocated young lady and an unexplainable hunting accident that has detective evie blackwell, paul and ann falcon, local sheriff gabriel thane and his family involved. it's several cold cases and evie is determined to review the old evidence and hopefully, discover something new. i do love seeing justice come to light and once i started reading this one, i couldn't put it down and you won't either!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>truth be told</i></b> by carol cox is set in 1893 where a female journalist is determined to track down the truth in a story her father had started on. i love amelia warner's courageous spirit and spunk as she takes over her father's newspaper and takes on great western's business! she just has to figure out who she can trust and who is trying to distract her from the truth.</span><br />
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<br />five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-88956199894883445392016-05-01T20:32:00.001-05:002016-06-30T13:13:09.543-05:00march - april 2016<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a note from me:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">happy spring, dear reading friend!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">spring can be a bit unpredicable here. it snowed in march and in april and there have been pockets of warm weather and heavy rains in between!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as i watch the trees in the neighborhood begin to bud and turn green, i'm reminded that growth is a vital part of every living thing. when it comes to my faith, i am challenged to stretch in ways that will make me grow closer to my savior. part of that challenge means spending more time in his word and really reading familiar passages with fresh eyes. i want to read the bible before i read anything else in my day and when i succeed, my day goes so much better!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">i'm excited about the fiction and non-fiction books i've been able to review for you these last two months!!! i hope you'll love them as much as i have!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">remember you are loved. zephaniah 3:17 says, "for the Lord you God is in your midst. he is a mighty savior. he will take delight in you with gladness. with his love, he will calm all your fears. he will rejoice over you with joyful songs."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">happy reading with blessings & love!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">your reading mom,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">susan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">jer. 29:11</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">fiction</span></b><br />
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<b><i>always watching</i></b> by lynette easton is book 1 in her new series, <i>elite guardians</i>. this fast paced thriller is about obsessive love and it is c-r-e-e-p-y! the elite guardian agency is an all-female squad with specialized skills and each one has contacts and resources to bring to the table. when they're hired to protect popular psychiatrist and radio personality wade savage, their skills and resources will be tested to the limits. it's a race against time and olivia edwards and her team must deliver before it's too late. this was a great and gripping (as in me gripping my seat!) read!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i style="background-color: white;">annabel lee</i></b> by mike nappa is a <i>coffey & hill novel</i> that is suspenseful and gripping. it's one of those stories that slowly fills you with anxiety as you try to get to the end of this fast paced plot! annabel can speak several languages and everything she knows, she learned from her uncle truck. she's frightened of her uncle's dog and now her uncle is leaving her alone with his guard dog in an underground bunker. in there, she accidentally stumbles on a diary that's hidden under the top bunk. it's a diary by a woman written in german and annabel begins to read about this unknown woman who is trying to protect her baby. in another part of town, after a visit from a mysterious client, private investigator trudi coffey is forced to contact her ex-husband. a secret message has come through and there's a race to search for something so important that some will kill to find it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>back in the saddle</i></b> by ruth logan herne is a story of coming home in her new series, <i>double s ranch book 1</i>. colt stafford is forced to return home after trying to make it in nyc's financial industry. but being back at his father's cattle ranch provides some unexpected challenges---a distant father with a life-threatening illness, a bossy house manager with a mysterious past, relationship issues with his brothers and more! will coming home drive colt away again? and while you're pondering that question, check out the "<i>from the kitchen of the double s ranch" </i>section featuring angelina's (she's the house manager) cherry cake recipe at the end of the story. it sounds yummy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>bride of a distant isle: daughters of hampshire</i></b> by sandra byrd was a gripping read!!! you will be captivated from the get go as you dive into this gothic mystery set in victorian england (i love that time period!). this is a story of faith, strength and trust centered on annabel ashton, a young woman at the mercy of her cousin edward who has inherited everything but is deep into financial trouble. annabel's mother has died under mysterious circumstances and when annabel begins to find things that have belonged to her deceased mother, danger increases. annabel finds herself as a pawn in the hands of her cousin and she must do everything to find someone she can trust before she disappears like her mother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>brush of wings</i></b> by karen kingsbury is the third and final book of the <i>angels walking series</i>. mary catherine is determined to move to uganda to work at a new orphanage regardless of what her cardiologist recommends. she needs more than a new valve and mary catherine knows she can't put the love of her life through that so she keeps marcus dillinger at arms length. meanwhile, a baby is at risk and so is the mother. the team of angels walking are on a seemingly impossible mission so they do the only thing they can... pray. i have always loved every story by karen---it's why her stories are aptly termed as "life changing fiction!!!" in all of karen's stories, you will always be reminded that you are loved and that God has a plan for you!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>close to you</i></b> by kara isaac is a debut novel which fans of tolkien will appreciate. dr. allison shire has given up on love after she discovered her husband's big secret. as a tour guide for southern luxury tours, allison gets to meet a variety of tolkien fanatics because she guides tours through the famous sites featured in <i>the lord of the rings</i> and <i>the hobbit</i> movies. and that is why she can smell a fake when she meets one --- jackson gregory is a tolkien fan poser and it's up to allison to discover what he's up to. this is a charming story and after reading about new zealand, i feel inspired to travel there to see the sights for myself!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>cold shot</i></b> by dani pettrey is suspenseful and full of twist and turns! this book begins pettrey's new series called <i>chesapeake valor</i> and the ending leaves you with a cliff hanger!!! aarrgggh! i can't wait to review and share book 2 with you!!! griffin mccray has left a life of danger and adventure to be a park ranger at gettysburg. when a routine patrol uncovers an arm with soft tissue that doesn't belong to the remains of a civil war soldier, griffin contacts dr. finley scott. but her contacts are all professionals from his past and griffin is forced to work with the very men he's been avoiding. but that's not all. someone is clearly trying to keep the body from being identified and it will be griffin, finley and the team to discover who's behind the growing death count. if you're a fan of heart-pounding suspense and danger, then you'll definitely love this one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>flight of arrows, a</i></b> by lori benton is book 2 in <i>the pathfinders series</i>. in this story, the consequences of one hasty act by reginald aubrey takes its toll on his son, his adopted daughter anna and on his future. this is a story which will transport you to the eighteenth century where a warrior is determined to find his son and a son who is running away from his father. the theme of forgiveness, redemption and trust are woven throughout this rich story. stone thrower's sacrifice in the end was a really riveting scene and the final event (i don't want to give it away!!!) was extremely moving!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>flirtation walk</i></b> by siri mitchell is set in 1855 and was one of my favorite books to read!!! lucinda is trying to start over after receiving word that her con-man father has passed away. now that he's gone, lucinda must find a plan for her life as she depends on the generosity off her mother's estranged family. When she meets seth, he's like a dream come true. seth westcott is at the top of his class in his military school and all his professors have high hopes for him. but a swindler has stolen everything from him and now he has to do his best to get down to the bottom of his class so he can catch the swindler and help out his sister. "the plan" is working like a dream but it may cost seth everything he's ever hoped for. i couldn't help but fall in love with buttermilk falls and the hammond family---although milly is not one of the main characters, her personality is a delight!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>fool & his monet, a</i></b> by sandra orchard begins a new series called, <i>a serena jones mystery</i>. in book one here, you will find some crazy family (you're going to love aunt martha!!!), a little bit of romance, some danger and mystery and... art. what's not to love, right?!? serena jones is part of the fbi art crime team determined to recover lost and stolen art. but for serena, it's more than a career path. serena is driven to uncover the truth about her grandfather's murder and his missing art. but will she lose the only witness who can shed some light on that mystery? you'll have to find out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>like never before</i></b> by melissa tagg is book two in <i>the walker family books</i> series. this romantic contemporary romance is a feel good sweet story that will warm your heart! amelia bentley is spunky, witty and in search of a great story. although she's not a local, she loves the little town of maple valley as much as anyone else born there. amelia is determined to find out the secret of the town's unsolved mystery for a story she hopes will boost the number to save the maple valley news. while logan walker hopes sell the newspaper and cut his losses. you can only imagine the sparks that fly between the two of them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>magnolia duchess, the</i></b> by beth white is book three in <i>the gulf coast chronicles</i>. fiona lanier is gutsy, daring, fiercely loyal... and in love with the enemy. her twin brother has been captured and fiona is desperate to rescue him as the war of 1812 rages across the states. fiona's love for her horses lands her in an impulsive decision to masquerade as a boy until she's discovered unfortunately! there's danger, espionage and true love in this action packed story!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>miriam: a treasure of the nile novel</i></b> by mess andrews brings miriam, the sister of moses to life! reading this one will take your mind onto a journey to egypt where the israelites are slaves and where the pharaoh is so powerful that he's considered a god. andrews uses historical detail and imagination which will take you into a world where you will feel the heat of the day and smell the stench of sweat while watching the judgment of God unfold before you. bravo to andrews for making miriam's story sing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>on lone star trail</i></b> by amanda cabot is the final book in the <i>texas crossroads</i> series. gillian hodge's life as a concert pianist is over. tj benjamin has lost his bearings, his calling and his faith. neither of them were expecting to find a second chance at rainbow's end but God has a sense of humor! you'll love the beautiful description of the texas bluebonnets, carmen's cooking and the rescue of a wayward teenager!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>playing the part</i></b> by jen turano is flat out hilarious! lucetta plum is a rising star in nyc's world of theater but when her life is threatened, she must go into hiding. her widowed friend, the delightful abigail hart is ecstatic to hide lucetta at her grandson's estate because she sees a divine opportunity to do some matchmaking! you'll love mr. skukman, lucetta's bodyguard, tilda the lady's maid, the crazy and unexpected encounters with geoffrey, the skirt hating goat and one of my favorite scenes is between lucetta and miss dunlap on pp. 186-191!!! there's mysterious happenings going on like falling swords, walking armor, jewelry materializing in strange places like the fireplace and a kidnapping. don't miss this one!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>red door inn, the</i></b> by liz johnson is a lovely story of hope, love and second chances set in beautiful prince edward island (the home of l.m. montgomery!!!). marie carrington's love for all things anne of green gables brings her to pei. she's broke, desperate and in need of a plan. when she meets jack sloane, a man on a mission to fulfill his wife's dream, a flutter of hope begins to unfurl in marie. but then she meets his surly tempered nephew, seth who doesn't trust her and is determined to find out her secrets. faced with uncertainty and fear, marie must decide whether she's going to run and hide or face her fears. once and for all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>rise of the beast</i></b> by m.k. gilroy is book one in the <i>patmos conspiracy series</i>. in this first book, your characters are set up in fast paced vignettes---they're brilliant and deadly and initially, it's hard to separate the good guys from the bad guys! burke is paid to keep tabs on jonathan alexander, one of the richest men in the world. but when a missing journal is noticed, everyone's life is at stake. the plot is intriguing, suspenseful and captivating making me very excited to check out book two in this series!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>sweet misfortune, a</i></b> by maggie brendan is set in 1862 and is book 2 in the <i>virtues and vices of the old west</i> series. when rachel matthews is literally snatched away from her job as a dance hall girl, she never expects to find a respectable job with respectable options! john mcintyre is just trying to do a favor for a childhood friend and never expects to win the heart of a beautiful woman while beatrice spencer is certain that he's "the one!" one of my favorite characters in this story is definitely grams - she is as loving as she is bossy! and she always gets her way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>thin ice</i></b> by irene hannon is the second book in her <i>men of valor</i> series. this story was suspenseful, captivating and full of adrenalin racing moments! two months ago, christy reed lost her sister to a house fire. but now she has reason to believe that her sister may be alive and she needs the help of the fbi. fbi special agent, lance mcgregor reopens the case and needs to figure out the person behind the sick mind who is tracking christy reed. will he find the connection before it's too late? i couldn't put this one down even though it was scaring me silly!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>thousand shall fall, a: a civil war novel</i></b> by andrea boeshaar is the first book in the series, <i>shenandoah valley saga</i> set in 1864. my favorite character is carrie ann bell --- she's spunky, loyal and feisty! carrie tries to do everything to save her family, but a fire destroys their farm and carrie is forced to work out a deal with a local inn keeper in exchange for food and lodging. when carrie learns that her sister has run away, she must do everything she can to find her. but what she finds is trouble instead when she tries to disguise herself! ultimately, this is a story of love in the midst of war between the north and the south. i can't wait to review book two which features carrie's sister, margaret jean bell and share my thoughts with you!</span><br />
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<b><i>faith footprints with my grandchild: 52 devotions, activities, and reflections</i></b> by dr. mary manz simon is an exquisite gift book-sized guided devotional for grandmothers! i love the devotional thoughts, the prayers, the mini activity suggestions to do with your grandchild and the journaling portion of this book!!! yes, as you may be able to tell, i love it all!!! it's a lovely way to journey together with your grandchild in their faith walk. you are going to love this one as much as i do---thank you, mary for this perfect resource for grandmothers!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>fear not: devotionals for times like these</i></b> by dave and neta jackson has over 200 stories of God's faithfulness to men and women all over the world who weathered the worst. i received this on wednesday night and couldn't put it down once i started it! in addition to the stories of extraordinary courage and faith, dave has written six essays on "the major eras of church expansion and the accompanying persecution to help put today's challenges in perspective." these fascinating historical accounts and modern stories really struck a chord in my heart. the writing is so heartfelt (well done, dave and neta!) that you are going to want to pick up some copies for your family and friends. when you get your copy at <a href="http://www.daveneta.com/books/Misc-Books/FearNot.html">http://www.daveneta.com/books/Misc-Books/FearNot.html</a>, don't skip over the introduction part. i felt like i was going on a journey through church history as i read this and feel every believer should take some time and read these stories of courage, sacrifice and faith.</span>five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-13817985797593579452016-02-23T10:52:00.002-06:002016-06-30T13:13:24.521-05:00january - february 2016<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">january - february</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a note from me:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hello, dear friend!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">welcome to another new year together!!! at the beginning of january, i started trying to figure out my "word" for the year. do you do that? at first, the word <i>grateful</i> popped up in my head. but upon further contemplation, i finally settled on the word... <i>reflect</i>. as i get older, i'm realizing how time seems to be on this perpetual "fast forward" mode. i want to savor the moments and reflect on all the things i am grateful for. every day. i picked up my journal from back when i was doing ann voskamp's one thousand gifts bible study with some friends and am working on being more consistent with recording my daily gifts in the journal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">i also chose the word <i>reflect</i> for this year because i am more aware than ever that the only thing i can take to heaven with me are... people. so i want to make sure i am living my life intentionally by being a reflection of my Lord and Savior. i hope to use my time better and evaluate my impact on things that really matter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">i'm about to leave for a trip with my favorite daughter to australia!!! the weeks leading up to this day have been so crazy busy as you can imagine. so, i'm posting my five star reads before i fly out today and hope you love everything as much as i have!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the verse i have chosen for this year is from zephaniah 3:17. "for the Lord your God is living in your midst. he is a mighty Savior. he will take delight in you with gladness. with his love, he will calm all your fears. he will rejoice over you with joyful songs."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">happy reading, friend!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blessings & love!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">susan, your reading mom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">jer. 29:11</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>aleppo code, the</i></b> by terry brennan is the third book in the series, <i>jerusalem prophecies</i>. the final book in this adventure trilogy offers murder, spine-tingling suspense, narrow escapes and possibly the final key that may lead to a hidden object that has the power to destroy the world if gotten in the wrong hands. tom bohannon and his team have risked their lives to decipher the code that will lead them to the garden of eden. but who will get there first? bohannon and his team or the relentless assassins of the prophet's guard who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the secret first?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="font-style: italic;">ashes to ashes: the chronicles of hugh de singleton, surgeon </b>by mel starr is a novel set in medieval times where you'll find plenty of danger, action, intrigue and fascinating historical detail (mel starr is an authority on medieval surgery!). i love this series---it captivates my attention from the get go and it transports me to another time and place (and then i am happy to return back to reality!)!!! This is like the medieval csi or law & order!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>body under the bridge, the: a father gilder mystery</i></b> by paul mccusker is an incredible read!!! i think it's one of my favorite mystery <i>whodunits</i> ever!!! there's a centuries-old feud between two families, a rising dead body count, missing historical relics and even an ancient curse! father gilbert (he was a former scotland yard detective) never expects to uncover the secret of his anglican church in the modest town of hailsham! i'm a fan!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>i hope you dance </i></b>by beth moran is a heart-warming and moving story of a single mom's return home after leaving her family in disgrace. ruth comes from a family of champion dancers. but she harbored a secret until it tore her apart and in the end, ruth realizes that it doesn't define her. i love ruth and i firmly believe everyone needs a band of friends like lois, ana luisa, emily, ellie and rupa!!! these women are hilarious and charming!!! this eclectic mix of women save ruth from herself and show her love even in the messiness of life. the dialogue is witty and hilarious and the cast of characters will inch their way into your heart (except for creepy dr. c!!!). what's not to love, right?!?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>keeper of the stars</i></b> by robin lee hatcher is the final book in the <i>kings meadow romance</i> series. robin does it again! this is a story that will touch your heart as you get to know the cartwright family. when penny cartwright meets the man who is the reason why her brother brad left in the first place, she is understandably furious and full of bitterness. country singer, trevor reynold has spent his life chasing fame and fortune. he aims to make it big as a country singer, but for now, he's fulfilling a promise he made to his band member. trevor never expects to find what he's been searching for and penny never expects how healing forgiveness is. this is the perfect read while you're snuggled up under mounds of blankets because winter in kings meadow is enchanting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>peacock throne, the</i></b> by lisa karon richardson is a historical romance that is full of danger, fierce storms, espionage and treasure! so, what does an earl and an orphaned young woman have in common? two murders and two distinct weapons. miss lydia garrett and the earl of danbury must team up to find a murderer. this includes solving a mystery regarding the magnificent peacock throne, finding its location and bringing it back to its rightful owner. meanwhile, the earl of danbury is under suspicion for aiding the french and miss garrett is coerced to spy on him. miss garrett will have to figure out who she can trust and who she can confide in in this epic adventure!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>prophetess, the: deborah's story</b></i> by jill eileen smith is the second book in her <i>daughters of the promised land series</i>. smith does such an amazing job at bringing deborah from the book of judges to life! her wisdom, strength and calling are so evident as she leads the israelite's against canaan. i really love the historical detail and the themes of grace and redemption that smith weaves in her story of deborah, the prophetess. i always feel like i'm right there with her main characters!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>rising darkness</i></b> by nancy meal is book 3 in the <i>finding sanctuary</i> series. journalist sophie wittenbauer intends to find the story of a lifetime and further her career while going undercover. she just doesn't expect to run into somebody from her past. and, while searching for clues, she finds that somebody wants her out of town. trying to lose her mennonite past is challenging in the mennonite town of sanctuary, missouri and sophie knows she is finished with God. but what she uncovers along her investigation may change her life. forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>where she belongs</i></b> by johnnie alexander is the debut book of her <i>misty willow</i> series. i haven't read anything by alexander before but i think she just became one of my favorite authors to follow and read!!! owning her family's homestead, misty willow, is a dream come true for shelby kincaid. but there are pain and secrets associated with this run down family home. will shelby have the freedom to bring up her daughters in the home that has the sweetest memories for her or will she lose everything again? fall in love with shelby and her daughters and be reminded that we're all being pulled into a place where we all want to belong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>with this ring: a novella collection of proposals gone awry</b></i> by karen witemeyer, mary connealy, regina jennings and melissa jagears is funny, historical, witty and romantic! i mean, just by the title, you can already tell that this is a collection of stories that will make you at least smile!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">non-fiction</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>the story of God bible commentary: genesis </i></b>by tremper longman III begins with an introduction to the book of genesis. the wording is so easy to read and understand that you will forget you're reading a bible commentary! i really like how longman III gives you an overview from the perspective of reading in the context of the old testament, reading in the context of the new testament and reading from the perspective of the twenty-first century. what i found as i read through some of these sections and beyond is that you don't have to be a theologian or have a masters of divinity degree to understand genesis! the writing keeps you engaged and you will find yourself wanting to dig deeper into this book; in fact, as i read, i really wanted to see more hebrew words and their literal meaning!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>the story of God bible commentary: romans</i></b> by michael f. bird takes the every day reader into the world of paul and his letter to the romans. if i'm ever doing a study on romans, i want this commentary beside me! michael f. bird uses historical details, biblical truth and modern day stories to explain romans---i find this commentary series very engaging, relatable and captivating!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">family-friendly resources</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>owlegories: the ant, the fruit, the butterfly</i></b> is volume no. 2 in this dvd series. and, because technology is so accessible, <i>owlegories tv</i> can be downloaded as an app to any of your smart devices! one of the best things about <i>owlegories</i> is that it's ad free and safe for the entire family. of course, i love the adorable characters and the series help children learn more about God and how they can be followers of Jesus. they will learn lessons about hard work, the fruit of the spirit and more with professor owlester and his students. your little ones are going to love <i>owlegories</i>!!!</span><br />
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<br />five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-77858167353483752832015-12-16T21:26:00.003-06:002016-06-30T13:13:43.843-05:00november - december<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a note from me:</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">merry christmas, dear reading friend!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a few weeks ago, we flew out on a spur-of-the-moment trip to london and then to barcelona! at the time, there was a global security alert issued for all travelers and </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">we had the option of canceling the trip, but decided against it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in times like these, i'd rather be all together as a family then separated by time zones, wouldn't you?!? plus, we know that our lives are in the hands of God and we can be at peace knowing he is in control.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">i don't know your story but i want to encourage you that this time in your life is just for a season. trust God. know that he is always with you (psalm 139:1-12). he is <i style="font-weight: bold;">Jehovah-Jireh</i> meaning <i><b>the Lord who provides</b></i>. check out philippians 4:19 in your bible. it's a promise to you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">jeremiah 29:11 is the verse that i live by. read it! embrace it. share it!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">have a blessed christmas season sharing his love!!! happy reading, dear friend!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">blessings & love!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">susan, your reading mom :o)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">jer. 29:11</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>fiction</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>bride at last, a</i></b> by melissa jagears is the grand finale in her mail order bride stories. </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">kate dawson is about to risk everything she knows for a promise because of a nine-year-old boy she loves. but when the truth comes out about her past, kate's future takes a turn for the worst. this story will take you on a journey of faith, love and redemption</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>captured by love</b></i> by jody headlined is set in 1814. two brothers, jean and pierre make the ultimate sacrifice for love. you'll find danger, betrayal and espionage in this historical fiction. angelique labelle, the object of both brother's affections, will learn an important lesson about hope and contentment in the end.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>come to the garden</i></b> by jennifer wilder morgan is inspired by organ's ministry at the methodist hospital in houston. jennifer's intriguing story with her encounter with an angel sent from God named margaret helps her see that God has been very present in her life. this is an inspiring story of faith and how God works in everyday life through different circumstances and people!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>cup of dast, a: a novel of the dust bowl</i></b> by susie finkbeiner stars ten-year-old pearl spence. pearl's daddy is the town's hero and sheriff and her adoration for him is evident! pearl is the keeper of her older sister, beanie and she always knows how to find her sister when she wanders off around town. you'll love pearl! she's spunky, responsible and charismatic! when a hobo gets off the train and seems to know her name, pearl's secure world begins to turn upside down.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>fire & ice</i></b> by mary connealy is the third book in the series, <i>wild at heart</i>. bailey wilde is one of the best new ranchers in the west. bailey has a secret and fellow rancher, gage coulter is shocked when he uncovers it. </span>connealy will have you cracking up as you go back in time to 1866! i love the way she writes!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>love's fortune</i></b> by laura frantz is book 3 in the <i>ballantyne legacy series</i>. rowen "wren" ballantyne was born and reared in her kentucky home where she knows everyone and every hill. she loves her home, making music and the close-knit community she's grown up in. but one letter will change everything and wren is thrust into a world she's very unfamiliar with. this is an era of steamboats, arranged marriages and priceless violins. will wren ever find her way home again? you'll have to find out!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b><i>methusalah project, the</i></b></span> by rick barry is a fascinating look at the life of a young pilot from world war II who is taken captive by a german organization under the financial direction of adolf hitler. roger greene undergoes experimental treatments that change the course of his body forever. there are high stakes involved, adventure and a daring escape where multiple things can go wrong. at any moment. read at your own risk.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b><i>moment in time, a</i></b></span> by tracie peterson is the second book in the series, <i>lone star brides</i>. alice chesterfield is being followed and texas seems to be the opportunity she needs to break away from her past. when alice discovers that her mother and brother who she was told were dead are very much alive, everything alice knows to be true about her world, unravels. this is a story of trust, forgiveness and sanctuary.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b><i>perfect ambition, a</i></b></span> by dr. kevin leman & jeff nesbit is book one in the worthington destiny series where you'll get to follow the life of a rich and powerful family. This is a political thriller that combines birth order (thank you, dr. leman!!!), high powered stakes, political intrigue and secrets. and the cliff hanger at the end just kills me!!! i can't wait to review book 2 and share it with you!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b><i>place in his heart, a</i></b></span> by rebecca demarino is a beautiful story of love. mary langton is trying to avoid marriage to the man her father insists on matching her with. her deepest desire is to marry for love. when she meets barnabas horton, a young widower with two sons, mary is smitten. can you see where this is going?!? this is a story that will pull at your heart strings as you watch mary literally grow up before your eyes as she learns about motherhood, domestic tasks and being a help meet! plus, a voyage across the ocean to the colonies stretches mary... to a breaking point. love comes when you least expect it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b><i>raw edges</i></b></span> by sandra d. bricker is a stand alone book in a series, quilts of love: every quilt has a story. grayson mcdonough is struggling with his grief over losing his beautiful wife, jenna to ovarian cancer. when his 9-year-old daughter, sadie discovers an invitation to a support group and coerces her father to go with her, grayson never expects to find hope and healing through a memory quilt project. one that he is reluctant to be a part of but because of sadie, he relents. i love the journal jenna wrote for her daughter!!! read this one with a box of kleenexes near by because you will need them!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><b><i>sky zone</i></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> by </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">creston mapes is the final book in the crittendon files series where you will find heart-pounding suspense and action around every corner! it's been a tough season for jack crittendon financially. after losing his job as a star reporter, he's been working part-time on security detail at the columbus festival arena. when word arrives regarding a possible terrorist attack while controversial presidential candidate martin sterling is set to appear, jack and his team have no idea what will unfold as the evening goes on. this is a story of sacrifice, conspiracy and faith AND a surprise ending you will not expect!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b><i>tempest's course</i></b></span> by lynette sowell is a part of the series, quilts of love: every quilt has a story. when kelly frost, a textiles conservator, accepts a job to restore a centuries-old mariner's compass quilt, she never expects to stumble across the story of the quilt. nor does she expect to find love or discover the secrets of her past!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>too blessed to be stressed cookbook: a busy woman's guide to stress-free cooking</i></b> by debora m. coty is a collection of yummy recipes that have a prep time of 20 minutes or less! This is one-pan cooking at its best! I love the personal tidbits coty shares throughout the book and the clever quotes you can find on the bottom of the page. You are also going to love the bright colored pages, pictures, artwork and the "menu suggestions and grocery lists" that are included in the back of the book. cheers for stress-free cooking, friends!!!</span></span><br />
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five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-61507448996551982192015-10-01T10:26:00.001-05:002016-06-30T13:16:27.966-05:00september-october<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">a note from me:</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">happy fall, reading friend!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it's the perfect season to make my apple cider caramel cookies and snickerdoodles. yum! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">this is one of my favorite seasons to devour books because it's the perfect time to cuddle under warm blankets propped up by lots of pillows while reading. how about you?!?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">i can't wait to share my favorite reads with you this month! although i didn't get to read as many books as i normally do because of my schedule, i think you'll really enjoy my five star picks that i've reviewed for you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">i love that we share a mutual love for reading! but i want to encourage you to always stay connected to being in God's word everyday. i love the message of jeremiah 29:11... jeremiah is a prophet who is writing to the jews who are currently exiled in babylon because they have been taken captive due to their unfaithfulness to God's laws. they have been through war, death, property, crop loss and more. but, in this letter, jeremiah encourages to people to build homes, plant gardens, marry and have children while they are in exile and he tells them why in jeremiah 29:11. this is a verse that fills me with hope because i serve a God who is a covenant keeper. he promises to never leave us or abandon us (hebrews 13:5). he's "<i>El-Roi---the God Who Sees.</i>" remember the story of hagar in the wilderness in genesis 16? he sees our pain, suffering and brokenness and intimately understands our disappointments. he has compassion for you (lamentations 3:22-23) and he cares for for you deeply (1 peter 5:7).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">have a wonderful day, reading friend!!! happy reading!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">blessings & love from my heart to yours!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">susan, your reading mom :o)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">jer. 29:11</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #444444;">captain for laura rose, a</span></i><span style="color: #444444;"> by stephanie grace whitson is a fascinating historical novel set in 1867 about family, riverboats and second chances. laura rose white learned everything about piloting a missouri river steamboat from her late father. her instincts are spot on and her courage unwavering, but unfortunately, a female riverboat captain is unheard of so getting an opportunity to pilot her boat is nearly impossible. i love that laura is spunky and fearless in the face of danger! stephanie uses her magic to weave a riveting story about one woman's courage and determination to overcome the odds in the face of loss, danger and deadlines! i love how she's added the </span><i style="color: #444444;">rest of the story</i><span style="color: #444444;"> in the "afterword</span><i style="color: #444444;">" </i><span style="color: #444444;">page at the end of the story. you'll get to follow marriages, careers, etc. of the characters making you forget this is a work of fiction!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #444444;">cold as ice</span></i><span style="color: #444444;"> by m.k. gilroy is "</span><i style="color: #444444;">a kristen conner mystery"</i><span style="color: #444444;"> which is packed with danger, murder, hit men and intrigue! confession: i am quickly becoming addicted to anything m.k. gilroy!!! although, i'm not a fan of danger, suspense or murder, his stories are so intense and fascinating that i forget i prefer cozy mysteries and chick lit!!! i </span><u style="color: #444444;">love</u><span style="color: #444444;"> detective kristen conner. she's authentic in her faith, involved in an intriguing romantic relationship (that she nearly blows) and fiercely protective of her family. check this one out because you don't want to miss the opportunity to accelerate your heart rate!!!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #444444;">daughter of jerusalem</span></i><span style="color: #444444;"> by joan wolf is simply a brilliant read!!! this is the story of mary magdalene---a woman often misunderstood and overlooked. wolf does a wonderful job weaving in history, culture & tradition, fascinating characters and faith in this </span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">fictional story of mary's life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;">daughter of the regiment</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444;"> by stephanie grace whitson takes place during the american civil war. stephanie artfully draws her readers into the world of maggie malone, an irish immigrant and her privileged neighbor, elizabeth blair. maggie's world is turned upside down when her brothers enlist and elizabeth's world is turned upside down when her brother turns their home into the headquarters for the regiment. this is a story inspired by women known as "vivandieeres" or "daughters of the regiment." they tended the wounded, mended uniforms, helped in battles, boosted the morale of their men, etc. again, you'll find the </span><i style="color: #444444;">rest of the story </i><span style="color: #444444;">where you get to find out who married whom, where they lived, what they did, etc. in the "afterword" page after the story ends. it makes you forget these are fictional characters and it gives you satisfactory closure!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;">endless christmas, an</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444;"> by cynthia ruchti was one of my favorite reads! i really love her writing style and interesting characters (gotta love paul!!!) that have smart and funny dialogue! it starts out with an awkward scenario that is every girl's nightmare (i'm totally not going to tell you or i will spoil it!!!)! kudos to ruchti for making this story so believable that i felt the pain of being embarrassed and uncomfortable for katie vale! i love the binder family---i wish they were real (and in my life!!!) and the town of stillwater is absolutely charming! another one of my favorite scenes is the reenactment of the christmas story according to the angels---super clever and incredibly hilarious!!! definitely a five stars read :o)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">mercy's rain</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> by cindy k. sproles has been one of my favorite reads ever!!! this story takes you into the appalachian community and the experiences of mercy and her mother will just rip your heart out. you are totally going to need a box of kleenexes next to you because there it's impossible to get through mercy's story without bawling like a baby! mercy is spunky, courageous, compassionate and flat out angry. and she has a right to be. it will take the love of a family and some friends to show her the true meaning of her name... mercy.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">promise to keep</i> by elizabeth baler younts is the final book in her series, <i>the promise of sunrise</i>. i find it fascinating that younts has an amish background which is why she can take her readers inside the amish community and give an authentic point of view from her experiences as well as her experiences as the wife of an military officer. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">esther detweiler has lost nearly everyone important to her---her father, her mother, her shunned cousin and now her dear grandmother. at her grandmother's funeral, she gets the shock of her life. everything in esther's orderly world begins to spin out out of control and only God's love and forgiveness can bring true healing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">rust</i> by corbin bernsen is his debut novel that's an adaptation of his 2010 film, <i>rust</i>. this is a heartwarming story of one man's struggle with his faith, family and community. when a fire takes out an entire family in their farmhouse, james moore, former pastor, is determined to find the truth. in the process, the truth brings healing to james, his family and his community.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>sea keeper's daughters</i></b> by lisa wingate was the kind of book i couldn't put down!!! it's about faith, complicated family relationships (who can't relate, right?!?), deception and love, of course! what's not to love?!? you'll be taken on a journey from modern-day roanoke island to north carolina's outer banks to north carolina's blue ridge mountains and back. meet whitney monroe who happens to stumble across some old letters of a possible relative while she's sorting through things that belonged to her mother and her grandmother. she's desperate for cash to keep her business afloat and while searching for things with a high cash value to sell, she finds something far more valuable. this is the kind of thing i wish would happen to me!!! you'll find some history, intrigue and mystery here.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">sweet sanctuary</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> by kim vogel sawyer is a sweet love story set during world war II. i love how kim takes us back to a time in history where patriotism in america is at its height while overseas, hitler is beginning his reign of terror and annihilation of the jewish people. this is a story of faith, hope and answered prayers while we watch each of the main characters live out their calling during turbulent times. and when their paths cross in the midst of difficult circumstances, hope and love have a place to grow. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">stand: staying balanced with answers for real teen life </i>by shannon perry is a reflection of conversations she had with ten teen girls every week for two months. the result is a book that deals with the topics of gender identity, cutting, suicide, etc. as well as everyday topics teen girls face today. i love that scripture is woven throughout this book---you'll find even more under "appendix a."</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">family-friendly resources</span></b></span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">owlegories vol. 1 - the sun, the seed, and the water dvd</i> is a brand new video series that your children will love! and speaking of love... i love how each lesson features something about nature that teaches children about the characteristics of God's character and important truths from his word. i found each episode very child-friendly and charming. my favorite owls are violet and nora (i love how her glasses coordinate with her hair bows!!!)---these little owls are adorable!!! to find out more about owlegories, visit <a href="http://owlegories.com/">http://owlegories.com</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769421596855112961.post-41606584267977190842015-09-01T17:04:00.001-05:002016-06-30T13:19:05.962-05:00july-august <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hello, dear reading friend!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">welcome to my new home! summer is always a good time for me to evaluate matters regarding my blog and book reviews. after having numerous and frequent issues with spacing and uniformity, i’ve decided it’s time to do the “out with the old and in with the new” routine. i will not be posting anything else on fivestarbooksandmore.blogspot.com, but you can still find my archived newsletters of reviews there.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">i hope you like my new home as much as i do! i would love to know what you think! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">please refrain from using inappropriate or abusive language here. thank you! if you prefer to email me, then feel free to reach me at </span><a href="mailto:thereadingmom@gmail.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">thereadingmom@gmail.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">jeremiah 29:11 continues to be my favorite bible verse. if you haven’t discovered it yet, check it out! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">read it. embrace it. share it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blessings & happy reading!!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">susan, your reading mom</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bones will speak, the</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by carrie stuart parks is a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>gwen marcey</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> suspense novel which will have you on the edge of your seat! gwen marcey is a forensic artist (author carrie stuart parks is an internationally known forensic artist), a dog lover and a protective mother trying to build back her life after her marriage crumbles. when her dog winston brings home a human skull, gwen unintentionally finds herself in the middle of a serial killer investigation that is chillingly creepy. this story portrays forensics and faith and good vs. evil. i’m a fan of shows like csi, bones, body of proof, etc. so i like trying to guess the bad guys. but i was totally stumped and shocked when i got to the end (i was super freaked by that point!)! gwen marcey is amazing---i love that she figures out an important clue to her survival! great story that will have you glued to its pages until the very end. i’m a fan!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">breath of dawn, the</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by kristen heitzmann is a suspenseful story that guarantees to keep you on the edge of your seat! quinn is focused on the future while building a prosperous business. but the secrets from her past will catch up with her and end her future if she doesn’t get some professional help. enter morgan spencer. action, evil forces and dangerous mind games are at play and morgan must do everything to save quinn before it’s too late!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hope harbor</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by irene hannon is a contemporary inspiring story woven with the themes of faith, forgiveness and second chances. set in hope harbor, a charming tourist town on the oregon coast, you will find that the town and its inhabitants will find a place in your heart. michael hunter is visiting from chicago. he’s struggling with guilt and the loss of his wife and so he visits this town that his wife loved in hopes of finding some peace. tracy campbell loves her three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up, but the economy is wreaking havoc on their profits and tracy fears her uncle and his wife may lose everything. anna williams is harboring a secret and a life-long load of regret. charley lopez mans a food truck selling out-of-this-world tacos and seems to have a pulse on everything going on without asking questions or passing judgment. can hope harbor live up to its name? you’re going to love this one!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in good company</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by jen murano is a laugh-out-loud kind of book set in the 1880’s! millie longfellow is a one-of-a-kind nanny. unfortunately, her unconventional methods have not been appreciated by her employers. after being let go from her recent job, millie finds herself in a desperate position and finds herself responsible for three young charges who have scared away every nanny that’s been hired. i love this story---it’s hilarious as millie misuses words she’s been learning from the dictionary and her unconventional methods will make you smile!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">love’s rescue</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by christine johnson begins a new series, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>keys of promise</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> which are all set in the florida keys. book one is set in the 1800s where a terrible accident leaves elizabeth benjamin living with guilt and regret. sent off by her father to secure a good match in charleston, elizabeth longs to be home. none of the suitors find a place in her heart because elizabeth knows her heart belongs to someone her father views as little more than a pirate. by the way, you’re going to love how loyal elizabeth is to her maid anabelle. their friendship is unique and as they mature, their bond means extreme sacrifices will need to be made. forbidden love, adventure at sea, family secrets and more are found in these pages for your reading pleasure!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">midwife’s tale, the</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by delia parr is the first book in her series, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>at home in trinity</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> set in pennsylvania in 1830. martha cade is a widow with two grown children---her son is far away but her daughter stays with her and helps in her uncle and aunt’s tavern. martha has mastered the art of being tactful, has conviction and a heart for others. she comes from a long line of midwives and she dreams of the day when her daughter will follow in her footsteps. when victoria (her daughter) runs away with a theater troupe while she’s assisting in a birth, martha’s hopes and dreams are shattered. you can feel her pain and agony as she searches for her daughter only to come home empty. what i love about martha is the journal she keeps for her daughter as she processes her pain. she comes to the realization that her dreams may not be her daughter’s dreams and she’s willing to do whatever it takes as long as her daughter returns home. i can’t wait to review book 2 to see what happens next!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mist of midnight</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by sandra byrd (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>daughters of hampshire</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> series) is a captivating read! rebecca ravenshaw, daughter of missionaries in India, returns to her family estate in england after her family dies in the indian mutiny. upon her arrival, she is shocked to discover that someone has been posing as her for several months before her mysterious death. now, rebecca must prove that she is the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>real </i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rebecca ravenshaw and the other one was an imposter. sandra skillfully weaves mystery, suspicious lights at night, betrayal and greed into her gothic mystery romance. this is definitely one of my favorite reads this month!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not by sight</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by kate breslin is a historical novel set in 1917 england where the relationship between the wealthy and the people who serve them are typically nonexistent. but grace mabry is different and her lady’s maid is a friend and keeper of her secrets. when a chain of events cause grace and her maid to leave the city to help with war efforts on a farm, she never realizes her actions are being monitored. there are spies, a man with a mask and other mysterious encounters in this intriguing story! i loved it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">now & forever</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by mary connealy is book two in the series, w</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>ild at heart</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (the follow-up to t</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>ried and true</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) where you’ll find faith, adventure, danger and romance with the wilde sisters! in this one, it’s all about shannon wilde, the middle sister---she loves her animals and is raising sheep for their wool on her own homestead. but someone wants her land and will stop at nothing to get to it. but I don’t want to spoil it for you, so let me give you a sneak peak at how the story begins… the opening scene begins with a series of events involving a grizzly bear, a man desperately trying to escape it and shannon diving off a cliff and plunging into slaughter river, a river no one has ever survived before. this story is set in dakota territory in 1866 and you’ll love connealy’s character’s and their witty dialogue and sense of humor!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">potter’s lady, the: refined by love</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by judith miller is a fascinating look inside the craft of pottery making, design and manufacturing in america. rose mckay is determined to help her brother make his pottery business investment successful; however, mckay pottery is losing bids to their rival, the harkness company and rylan campbell, a mckay pottery employee suspects sabotage. you’ll find faith, love and some mystery in this historical fiction novel.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">whenever you come around</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by robin lee hatcher is the second book in the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>k</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>ings meadow romance</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> series. charity anderson returns to her childhood home in kings meadow while waiting for her own house to be finished with all its rennovations. as a successful author, charity has celebrity status in the town she’s grown up in but she seldom returns home to visit her parents there. charity is harboring a secret that will break your heart, reading friend. but thankfully, a former high school classmate who is currently residing next door to her parent’s home is determined to break through her walls… if charity will let him in. robin’s characters come off the pages and make themselves at home in your heart!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">worthy pursuit, a</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by karen witemeyer has some of the funniest comedic moments and dialogue! charlotte atherton is hiding and guilty of kidnapping his employer’s granddaughter and retriever, stone hammond is determined to track her down. what he discovers instead changes his mission and neither are aware of the dangers before them as one unscrupulous man will do anything to get what he wants. you’ll find faith, adventure and a bit of romance!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mystery rider</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by miralee ferrell is the third book of the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>horses and friends</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> series. while brainstorming about the upcoming parade, thirteen-year old kate and her friends see a hooded rider on a black horse that they don’t recognize. but when they go out to befriend the rider, the rider takes off on the horse. after this happens several times, kate and her friends are determined to uncover the mystery no matter what. meanwhile, kate struggles to be friends with snooty melissa tolbert who boards her horse at the ferris family stable. what i like about this story is that kate later realizes that melissa’s cutting remarks were probably an attempt to cover up her own fears and pain. this is a great story about friendship, adventure and faith in action!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sync or swim: a fable about workplace communication and coming together in a crisis</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by gary chapman, paul white and harold myra is innovative, creative and fun to read! allow me introduce these authors to you… you probably recognize the name, gary chapman, #1 new york times bestselling author of the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>5 love languages</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. paul white, ph.d is a licensed psychologist who consults with successful businesses and high net worth families dealing with relational issues, business and financial wealth. harold myra was the ceo of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>christianity today international</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for 32 years. he’s an author holding honorary doctorates and recipient of various prestigious awards.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this fable is a powerful way to communicate the value of appreciation. i love the insight and practical techniques they offer to help your team feel valued which will “enhance their productivity and increase teamwork.” this compact book is a creative way to impart the wisdom of authentic appreciation through the animal characters in this fable (i’m a fan of the old puffin mentor, olympia!). don’t miss the end of the book sections on “a leaders’ insights,” “questions for reflection and discussion” and the fable’s core principals.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">thank you, God, for kittens and thank you, God, for puppies</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by mary manz simon are the perfect read for the animal lover (ages 2 to 5) in your family! mary understands what children love about their pets and she creatively incorporates their love on each page of this adorable board book through the age-appropriate rhyming text and sweet illustrations. each of these books will be a favorite among your little ones reminding them to thank God for the blessing of pets in their life! thanks, mary!</span></span></span>five stars: faith based bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06149466438323275386noreply@blogger.com1