by admin | Dec 1, 2015 | Christian CDs, Christmas, Music
MY REVIEW:
My first listen to “Adore” was in the car with my husband and may I say I was underwhelmed? The volume was down low and I could not concentrate on the music because of conversation and road noise. At that point I would have given it a ho hum review. The next time I needed to make a trip in the car I decided to give it another chance. I was alone and could crank up the volume without annoying my husband. I also do my best listening in the car since I usually have at least a thirty minute drive with very few distractions other than traffic.
Second time was a charm. At the greater volume the songs literally came alive. Without distractions I was also able to actually understand the lyrics. As usual, Chris Tomlin came through with his own interpretation to several well-known Christmas songs – sometimes by the addition of lyrics and other times by creating a unique medley of several songs. Other unfamiliar songs were also excellent and the combination of songs is one that relates the true meaning of Christmas and should help bring listeners to worship. I can imagine that many worship services may include some of these songs during this Christmas season. One particular line that has stuck with me is “Jesus, the love song of God”. How meaningful is that?
With a wonderful list of songs and such a great group of guest artists, “Adore” is certain to be a favorite for years to come.
A copy of this CD was provided by Flyby Promotions in exchange for my honest review.
This new Christmas album released on October 23, 2015. It features classic Christmas songs with a mix of original Christmas songs. There are special guest performances from Lauren Daigle, All Sons & Daughters, Crowder, and more on this album.
Songs:
1. He Shall Reign Forevermore
2. Adore
3. Midnight Clear (Love Song)
4. Noel featuring Lauren Daigle
5. Hymn Of Joy
6. Silent Night featuring Kristyn Getty
7. What Child Is This? featuring All Sons & Daughters
8. It’s Christmas
9. A King Like This
10. Bethlehem
11. A Christmas Alleluia featuring Lauren Daigle & Leslie Jordan of All Sons & Daughters
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Chris Tomlin is an American contemporary Christian music artist, worship leader, and songwriter who has sold nearly 30 million records. Some of his most well-known songs are “How Great Is Our God”, “Jesus Messiah”, “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”, “Our God”, and “Whom Shall I Fear”. His 2013 album Burning Lights debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, only the fourth Christian album ever to open at No.1. Throughout his career, Chris has been nominated for 32 Dove Awards (6 of them collaborative efforts) and he has won 19 of them. |
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by admin | Nov 30, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Book two in Thompson’s Brides With Style series continues Katie Fisher’s tale. Still happy working in the Dallas bridal salon and pretty sure she is in love with Brady James, Katie is blind-sided by a few things that make her question her choices. What is a gal to do when the man she thought she would marry turns up in her life again and all signs point to his wanting to renew their relationship – especially when the man she loves has suddenly gone into a depression and seems to be avoiding her?
In her unique style, Janice Thompson has once again offered her readers a humorous yet thoughtful novel that is brimming over with romance. Her characters are fresh and lovable and the plot just grabs you and pulls you along for the ride. I loved reading about the preparations and showers for Katie’s grandmother’s wedding. My, there were some laugh-out-loud scenes there, especially the one involving the wedding punch. You just have to read it!
But seriously, almost hiding behind all the fun and romance is a strong lesson about not trying to micromanage our lives but to just relax and let God have control. One more reminder of why I love Janice’s books.
If you have never read a Janice Thompson novel, please take my advice and pick up both books in this series. If you have any sense of humor at all, I think you will love them.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
How can she choose between the love she thought she lost and the love she stumbled upon in the aftermath?
Katie Fisher and Brady James may be a match made in heaven, but that doesn’t seem to guarantee them a happily ever after accompanied by angelic choirs. Katie’s almost-fiancé Casey is back in Fairfield, ready to rekindle their relationship. And there’s nothing Katie’s parents want more than for their small-town girl to leave Dallas and come home for good.
But can she really leave Brady behind? And will she ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect, The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.
by admin | Nov 30, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
My past experiences with Katy Lee’s novels have proven that I can count on her for an exciting and suspense-filled evening. I also know that I don’t have to worry about running across any explicit intimacy or gruesome violence. For the icing on the cake, I know that I will also find a strong vein of truth and faith running throughout the pages. As the first book in her new Roads to Danger series, “Silent Night Pursuit” totally lived up to my expectations.
Lacey Phillips takes a road trip to learn what Wade Spencer might know about why her brother died. Fully expecting to be back home in time for Christmas dinner, Lacey quickly finds herself in the middle of much more than she expected and begins to wonder if she will ever make it back home at all. Against his will, Wade is forced to flee with Lacey as they both run for their very lives.
Katy Lee seems to get better with each book. In “Silent Night Pursuit” she has amped up the danger and suspense with some absolutely breath-stopping scenes and a mystery that might just surprise most readers. Of course the reader will also expect a romance to develop because that is the very nature of any Love Inspired novel but I particularly liked the way this one developed.
I am really afraid to say more for fear of spoilers but I will say that “Silent Night Pursuit” is the perfect mystery/suspense to have on hand if one finds a few spare moments during the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations. And – it would even be a good read after the holidays. I loved it!
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lacey Phillips believes Captain Wade Spencer knows something about her brother’s mysterious death. So she throws caution to the wind and tracks him down on Christmas Eve looking for answers. Wade tries to turn her away—until bullets start to fly. He doesn’t want to take the stubborn beauty on his life-or-death mission to find out the truth about how Wade’s past may have cost her brother his life. But with killers lurking everywhere, he has to protect her—especially when she breaches the walls around his heart. Can Wade and his faithful service dog keep Lacey alive long enough to figure out who’s targeting them?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Katy Lee writes suspenseful romances that thrill and inspire. She believes every story should stir and satisfy the reader–from the edge of their seat. A native New Englander, Katy loves to knit warm wooly things. She enjoys traveling the side-roads and exploring the locals’ hideaways. A homeschooling mom of three competitive swimmers, Katy often writes from the stands while cheering them on.
Visit Katy at: www.KatyLeeBooks.com.
by admin | Nov 25, 2015 | Books, Edwardian, Historical
“After the Rain”, the latest novel by Rita Gerlach is now available on Amazon.com. You can purchase your own copy HERE.
ABOUT “AFTER THE RAIN”:
It’s 1908, a year in the Edwardian Age, the year J.M. Barrie’s play ‘What Every Woman Knows’, premiered in Atlantic City and the first Model T rolled off the assembly line in Detroit. It is a year when the world faced one of its worst disasters in history, when the New Year would heal the wounds of loss.
Louisa Borden lives a privileged life in Chevy Chase, Maryland, a new and thriving community on the outskirts of Washington, DC for the well-to-do. Against the wishes of her domineering grandmother, she retreats from the prospects of a loveless marriage and instead searches for what she hopes is her calling in life.
When her horse is spooked along Rock Creek, she is thrown from the saddle—an embarrassing situation for any affluent young lady. Soaking wet, bruised and humiliated, she is carried up the muddy bank to safety by Jackson O’Neil, a stranger to the city, who changes the course of everything, including the lives of all those around her.
