by admin | Nov 18, 2015 | Contemporary Fiction, Speculative
MY REVIEW:
I had mixed feeling about “The Five Times I Met Myself”. On one hand, it was a fairly interesting tale and the primary character was a fairly strong Christian who claimed to depend on God’s guidance. On the other hand, I had a few misgivings about Brock’s belief that God wanted him to use lucid dreaming to encounter his younger self in order to influence his future. Overall, I liked the story okay but might have enjoyed a bit more dialogue and action. It did not move along as quickly and smoothly as I might have liked.
I often grew frustrated with Brock and his determination to keep trying to change the future when it was apparent that things kept going from bad to worse every time he tried. I also had a bit of difficulty keeping it all sorted out – whether Brock was in the present, in a dream, or reliving old memories. Despite any of my frustrations, I was quite happy with the way things ended and all the truths that Brock learned through his experience led to restoration and reconciliation within his family. There is much a reader can learn from this story and it will most likely come back to my mind at odd times in the future.
As with all books by James Rubart, “The Five Times I Met Myself” is one that should appeal to fans of speculative fiction – those who always ask the question “what if?” If you are one of those people, don’t hesitate to pick up a copy for yourself.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What if you met your twenty-three-year-old self in a dream? What would you say?
Brock Matthews’ once promising life is unraveling. His coffee company. His marriage.
So when he discovers his vivid dreams—where he encounters his younger self—might let him change his past mistakes, he jumps at the chance. The results are astonishing, but also disturbing.
Because getting what Brock wants most in the world will force him to give up the one thing he doesn’t know how to let go . . . and his greatest fear is that it’s already too late.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
James Rubart is a professional marketer and speaker. He is the author of the best-selling novel “Rooms” as well as “Book of Days,” “The Chair,” “Soul’s Gate,” “Memory’s Door,” and “Spirit Bridge.” He lives with his wife and sons in the Pacific Northwest.
Find out more about James L. at http://jameslrubart.com.
by admin | Nov 16, 2015 | Bibles, Books
MY REVIEW:
The new ESV Journaling Bible is an attractive package that should make many happy. In fact it would be the perfect Christmas gift for someone in your life who likes to write or create word art in their Bible. This edition is packaged in a slipcase for extra protection. Its hard cover is surrounded with an imitation suede type fabric that is pleasing to the touch. Outer margins on each page are wide enough to write or draw on and the pages are printed on high quality paper.
Readers with older eyes may not be happy with this particular edition because the print is very small. In fact, the Bible itself comes in at just under 7 x 8 inches in size. I personally fall into the group with older eyes and even with my glasses, the print is difficult for me to read. I plan to pass on my copy to a younger friend who has been wanting a journaling Bible for awhile.
Except for the smallish print, I give this Bible a hearty thumbs up. Be sure to consider it for someone on your Christmas list.
For a chance to win a copy for yourself, please check out my giveaway HERE.
This book was provided for review by FlyBy Promotions Blogger Network.
About the ESV Journaling Bible:
The ESV Journaling Bible provides the perfect way for you to keep a journal of your spiritual life right inside the Bible that you read and study each day. With covers and formats that look like the finest journals, the Journaling Bible features two-inch ruled margins for writing observations, reflections, prayers, praises, notes, and journal entries. This unique Bible makes a great gift and lasting keepsake for anyone who values God’s Word.
Features:
- Black letter text
- Double-column, paragraph format
- Cream-colored paper
- 2″ ruled margins
- One-Year Bible Reading Plan
- Introductions and section headings for each Bible book
Retail Price: $37.99
About Crossway:
The purpose of Crossway has been, from its founding as a not-for-profit ministry in 1938, to publish gospel-centered, Bible-centered content that will honor our Savior and serve his Church. They seek to help people understand the massive implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s Word, for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God.
by admin | Nov 16, 2015 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Where does a story go when its opening pages include a surprise proposal with a negative reply and the couple must still spend the next week in one house with the man’s huge extended family? Well, “An Endless Christmas” has a few surprises in store and nothing turns out quite like the heroine (or the reader) might expect.
“An Endless Christmas” is a wonderful tale with memorable characters. Katie truly loves Micah but mistakenly thinks she can protect him from future heartache by not marrying him – after all, family history indicates that she is a poor risk. Micah is such a steadfast and patient hero who loves the Lord, his family and Katie without reserve. And the rest of the Binder family are the family most of us would love to have, loving and faith-filled people who never question life’s circumstances and love without judgment. Wilson Binder’s nightly whispered benedictions over each person present touched a place in me that made me yearn for a person like him in my life.
A touching story, “An Endless Christmas” included moments of humor, drama, and even grief but its message left me with such a feeling of satisfaction and hope. This is a book to share with those you love this season. I hope you will.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster.
Christmas takes a very different turn when the guests of honor break up instead of announcing their engagement. Trapped with his family, they learn that love looks different than either imagined. Both in their eighties, Dodie and Wilson Binder celebrate every Christmas as if it were their last. This year, their grandson Micah is planning to ask his girlfriend, Katie, to marry him so they can celebrate with the whole family. But things go very wrong when she says, “no.” Now they are stuck. Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster. But sometimes too much is just enough. Especially when it’s Christmas.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Drawing from 33 years of on-air radio ministry, Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, nonfiction books and devotionals, and speaking for women’s and writers’ events. Her books have been recognized by Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards, Selah Awards, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Christian Retailing’s BEST Awards, and Carol Award nominations, among other honors, including a Family Fiction Readers’ Choice Award. She and her plot-tweaking husband live in Pittsville, Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren.
Find out more about Cynthia at http://www.cynthiaruchti.com.
There’s no getting out of Christmas now, despite Katie rejecting Micah’s marriage proposal. Cozy up this holiday season with Cynthia Ruchti’s new novella, An Endless Christmas. The Binder family celebrates every Christmas as if it were their last. Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster. But sometimes too much is just enough. Especially when it’s Christmas.
Celebrate the holidays with Cynthia and An Endless Christmas by entering her $100 Target gift card giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of An Endless Christmas
- A $100 gift card to Target
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 30th. The winner will be announced December 1st on Cynthia’s blog.
by admin | Nov 14, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have read most if not all of Kristen Heitzmann’s novels and cannot say enough good things about them. When I think of her books, suspense is what first comes to mind because she has written some very edgy suspense novels but her Rocky Mountain Legacy series was also wonderful. “Told You So” was a somewhat new direction for her although there was just the slightest bit of danger and suspense involved in the contemporary romance. I loved every minute of it
“Told You So” is very much a dialogue driven story with some of the wittiest conversations I have encountered in quite awhile. In addition to the wonderful dialogue, Grace Evangeline was one of those people who seemed to invite disaster which led to several dramatic scenes that were sometimes also humorous.
Successful author Grace tried to give her readers happy-ever-after romances with heroes and heroines who maintained their innocence until marriage. Broadway producer Devin was much more cynical and pretty much thought Grace was ridiculous. But the attraction between them was strong despite their differing outlooks and because “Told You So” is a romance, we all know that the inevitable happens – they fall in love. Unfortunately, both Grace and Devin have hidden pain behind their successful lives that leads them to one wrong decision after another so the road to a happy ending for them is pretty rocky. Some of those mistakes will not sit well with certain readers of Christian novels so be forewarned, “Told You So” is a gritty and honest story about Christians who make big mistakes. Unlike most secular novels, those mistakes do not involve pages of explicit scenes and are tastefully handled.
It was evident to me that one purpose of the author was to illustrate through Grace and Devin’s story the power of God to overcome our worst sins and bring redemption and restoration to us. Sometimes we need to be reminded of that again. I know that I will remember this novel for awhile and look forward to the next one in the series.
A digital copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
From the minute Grace Evangeline throws her sweet tea in Devin Bressard’s face, their battle of wits and cross-purposes overtakes their lives. Sassy “angelic” Grace Evangeline will stop at nothing to see her romance novel produced for Broadway. Devin Bressard knows all about the commercial success of Ms. Evangeline’s “novels”—as far from his literary, nerve-striking plays as anything could be.
Grace intends to pull his head out of the rarefied air long enough to make her point, even if it involves stalking him and infiltrating his friends and colleagues. Devin knows she’s trouble, but who would guess the spokesperson for strength and virtue would be a calamity vortex? He mounts a fierce resistance, but when he’s forced to work with Grace, his profession and sanity aren’t the only things at risk. Collapsing walls on both sides bring a détente that could shatter their bond—or resound through more lives than their own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristen Heitzmann is the bestselling author of contemporary romantic suspense, psychological suspense, and historical novels, including Christy Award finalists Indivisible and The Tender Vine and Christy Award winner Secrets. In 2013, her novel The Breath of Dawn won both a Christy Award and Inspirational Readers Choice Award and was a finalist for a people’s choice award in the Netherlands. She is a fiction track and workshop teacher at American Christian Fiction Writers Conference and keynote speaker for women’s and writers’ conferences.
An artist and mountain hiker, Kristen lives in Colorado with her husband, pets, wildlife, and extended family.
by admin | Nov 11, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Mennonite, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
On the surface, the small Mennonite town of Sanctuary appears to be just what its name implies but there has already been a recent kidnapping and murder within its limits. There may be another murderer living among the unsuspecting townspeople and Sophie Wittenbauer is determined to find him in order to boost her journalism career. What does it matter if she has to tell a few lies in order to bring justice to the families of the men he killed?
In “Rising Darkness” readers will find a riveting suspense that will keep those pages turning while following Sophie’s efforts to find a killer before it is too late. Unexpected twists and surprises keep the suspense settings on high but in addition to that, I really liked the realistic character development that took place. In particular, Sophie had great difficulty even returning to a Mennonite town because of her unpleasant experiences in her own hometown. Her time in Sanctuary showed her that all Mennonites were not like her parents and her heart was softened by the very genuine love and protection offered her by some of Sanctuary’s residents. Although it was hard for Sophie to believe that she was worth loving, God had other plans in store for her.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Rising Darkness” and look forward to the author’s next offering.
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sophie Wittenbauer left her strict Mennonite hometown under a cloud of shame and regret. Certain she’s left her past far behind her, she’s now focused on her job at a newspaper and is shocked when she stumbles upon the name of someone she knew in her old life. But when she learns the man–a prisoner–claims a suspect from a decades-old unsolved crime is hiding out in the small town of Sanctuary, Missouri, she can’t resist following the lead in hopes of furthering her career.
Almost immediately upon her arrival, Sophie’s confronted with a face from her past and fears her intention of using a false identity to investigate is doomed. But with the help of Sanctuary’s charismatic young pastor, Sophie knows she’s getting close. Will she be able to conceal the truth of her own past long enough to find the suspect before someone puts a stop–fatal or otherwise–to her investigation?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nancy Mehl is the author of twenty-one books, including the Road to Kingdom and Finding Sanctuary series. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson. Visit www.nancymehl.com to learn more.
by admin | Nov 11, 2015 | Books, Novella, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“A Season to Wed” is a collection of three romantic novellas with winter settings. Each novella was penned by a different author and the plots are not related. However each book has similarities. In each story, the heroine encounters a man who meant something to her in the past but for one reason or another, their relationship ended. Each of these couples find themselves with a second chance at love. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the three stories. If romance is your genre, you won’t want to miss this collection.
Love at Mistletoe Inn by Cindy Kirk is a special tale of a couple who ran away to get married at the end of high school but changed their minds after the ceremony. After believing she was not married for ten years, Hope learns that her marriage was indeed legal. To her surprise, her husband John Burke chooses that exact day to reappear in her life. Naturally things will work out for the best, but what fun reading about how it happens!
A Brush with Love by Rachel Hauck is another example of why I love all novels by this author. I actually reviewed this novella earlier this year. You can read my entire review here – https://www.daysongreflections.com/?p=18182
Serving Up a Sweetheart by Cheryl Wyatt was another excellent story. Once again, the primary characters have a history but the last thing Meadow wants is to reconnect with Colin. She has little choice when her roof caves in during a snowstorm and there is no other contractor who can repair it in time for her to meet her catering deadlines. As Colin goes out of his way to make things easy for Heather, she realizes that he is not the same person she remembers and her heart begins to soften toward him.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
They’ve helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples. Now twelve new couples will find themselves in the wedding spotlight in the second Year of Weddings novella collection.
Love at Mistletoe Inn by Cindy Kirk
Sometimes the road to happiness is paved with youthful mistakes.
Ten years after what she thought was her almost-wedding, Hope Prentiss discovers that the ceremony counted-and, as fate would have it, the jilted John Burke has just ridden back into town. After spending some time with John and helping plan a Christmas wedding for a mystery couple, Hope begins to wonder if she really wants a divorce . . . or a real wedding of her own.
A Brush with Love by Rachel Hauck
Revealing the beauty in other women might be Ginger Winters’s specialty-but it will take an unexpected kind of love to help Ginger see the beauty in herself.
Ginger Winters will be the “beauty-maker” for the Alabama society wedding of the decade.
But when high-school crush Tom Wells shows up looking for a haircut, Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her from love once again . . . despite Tom’s best efforts.
Serving Up a Sweetheart by Cheryl Wyatt
Meadow knows how to serve delicious food to match any wedding theme. But can she accept love when it’s served up on a silver platter?
Meadow Larson is having the mother of all Mondays when her roof caves in during a blizzard, right before the most important wedding contract of her career.
Renovation contractor Colin McGrath offers to fix Meadow’s roof, even though he knows he is the last person she would accept help from.
But the more Meadow gets to know the new Colin, the more she realizes God may have something more permanent in store than a new catering kitchen.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Cheryl Wyatt writes romance with virtue. She’s earned RT Top Picks, spots #1 and #4 on her debut publisher’s Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books list, Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence final, and other awards. Cheryl loves readers! Join her newsletter at www.CherylWyatt.com. Facebook: CherylWyattAuthor Twitter: @cherylwyatt
Cindy Kirk sold her first book in 1999 as a result of a contest win which garnered a critique of the entire manuscript. She’s been writing-and selling-ever since. Cindy has been a Booksellers’ Best Award Winner, a finalist for the National Readers’ Choice Awards and a Publishers Weekly best seller. Cindy has served on the Board of Directors of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) since 2007. In November 2014, she began serving as President of the 10,000+ member organization. She’s a frequent speaker at not only the national RWA conferences, but large regional writing conferences. She has also presented at smaller retreats and conferences across the country. She lives on an acreage in Nebraska with her high school sweetheart husband of too-many-years-to-count and their three “boys” (a shih tzu, a blue heeler and a dorkie). Their daughter lives close by with her wonderful husband and their two little girls. Cindy invites you to check out her website www.cindykirk.com. Twitter: @CindyKirkAuthor
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, bestselling author. Her book, The Wedding Dress, was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times, and Once Upon A Prince was a Christy Award finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and two pets and writes from her ivory tower.
