CFBA - Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Quilted by Christmas

Abingdon Press (October 21, 2014)

by

Jodie Bailey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

A note from the Author: Well, I’m a regular ol’ person. Who just happens to write. A lot. Probably more than I should. I firmly believe that God created me to be a writer. From the time I learned how to string letters together into words I’ve been making up stories. Believe me… I have a very rich imagination. I used to think I was weird; now I know God just put me together that way. I can’t even watch commercials without expanding them into stories in my head. I am humbled and honored all at the same time that God looked down from heaven on me and said, “Jodie, do what you love.” Wow… how awesome is that?

I have always loved to write. I have stories that I wrote when I was in first grade. I used to sit at my grandmother’s yellow electric typewriter for hours, banging out my own little stories. When I was eleven, she bought me a typewriter of my own (It was 1984, okay?) and I would write and write on it. I wrote stories out by hand, and they ran to hundreds of pages. I got my first computer when I was eighteen, and the first thing I did was write a story on it. I wrote for school. I wrote for fun. I wrote for my friends. I’d get them on the phone and make up stories for them. (I earned the nickname “Dreamweaver” for that one. Nobody calls me that anymore, but it still stands as the coolest nickname I ever had.)

ABOUT THE BOOK

Taryn McKenna believes she’s easy to forget. Abandoned by her parents and left behind when her high school sweetheart joined the army, she vows to never love again and throws herself into her love for the outdoors and the pursuit of a college degree—something no one else in her family has ever accomplished. Her goal, as a young teacher in the hills of North Carolina, is to leave a legacy in the lives of the middle-schoolers she teaches. When Taryn’s grandmother Jemma, the only other person who ever held her close, has a heart attack that reveals a fatal medical condition, Taryn is corralled into helping Grandma work on a final project—an Irish chain quilt that tells the story of her history and the love Jemma knows is out there for Taryn. As the pieces of the quilt come together, Taryn begins to see her value. Can she learn to believe that God will never leave her behind even though others have?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Quilted by Christmas, go
HERE.

My Thoughts:

I have always been a huge fan of books set during Christmas and I really love the Quilts of Love series. I just wish I could say I loved this book but I didn't. I liked it but I just couldn't get into the characters. 

The plot was well thought out and the characters were likable enough, but I just couldn't connect with them. I wanted to, but it never happened. That rarely happens for me when reading a book and I always feel so disappointed and sad because I know the author poured themselves into the pages.

If you like books about Christmas and the Quilts of Love series you may find this book a great read.

On a 5-Star Scale = 3 1/2 Stars.

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Fiction for my copy of Quilted by Christmas. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley

A good suspense novel is always difficult for me to pass up, especially when it is the second in a series and I loved the first in the series. Patricia Bradley's debut novel, Shadows of the Past (read my review here) was an excellent book so when given the opportunity to read her sophomore offering, A Promise to Protect, the second book in her "Logan Point" series I, of course, jumped at the chance. 

A Promise to Protect is the story of Dr. Leigh Somerall and acting Sheriff Ben Logan. Ten years prior to the start of the story, these two characters shared a relationship that ended abruptly hurting them both. Fast forward to current day and Dr. Somerall has a secret she is trying to protect and fears someone will find out. Sheriff Logan has a bad memory he is trying to forget that is causing him to have a fear of his own. Both characters have to face their fears head on. Will they be able to get past their fears and move forward with their lives?

I love characters that pull me into their world and keep me there until the last page is turned. Ms. Bradley has created well developed characters that seem real and keep the story moving forward. The secondary characters in the book are just as real and entertaining.

This is a story of secret betrayals, forgiveness and second chances at love. It is a story that will have you rooting for the characters and cheering them on to their happily ever after.

If you enjoy a good suspense novel, I would highly recommend picking up a copy of A Promise to Protect. Due to an indiscretion in the characters lives prior to the start of the story, I would suggest this be a novel for mature readers.

I would like to thank Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for my copy of A Promise to Protect. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

Smiles & Blessings,

CFBA - Finding Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. & Cindy Kelley

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Finding Mercy

David C. Cook (October 1, 2014)

by

Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson. 


****

Cindy Kelley is the co-author of the novel The Silent Gift, and Traces of Mercy. Her career as a screenwriter with long-time writing partner, Michael Landon, Jr., began with the adaptation of Margery Williams’ classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, which had a theatrical release. Several television movies followed, most notably Love Comes Softly, (based on Janette Oke’s novel) which won a CAMIE Award and the Epiphany Prize for Movie Guide’s most inspirational television movie of 2003. Cindy and her husband, Jim, make their home in the Southwest; have three adorable grandchildren and four big dogs who rule the house. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Mercy abandons Captain Elijah Hale to search for her true identity, he goes after her. With the threat that bounty hunters might be hot on her trail, Mercy does all she can to stay ahead of the danger, frustrating both the bad men who are after her—and Captain Hale who wants to find her and escort her safely home. But when she stumbles upon clues that help her learn who she is and where she's from, the danger escalates and she has to learn to keep her friends close and her enemies even closer—if she can determine which is which!

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Finding Mercy, go HERE.

My Thoughts:

After reading Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. & Cindy Kelley (read my review here). I couldn't pass up the second book in the "The Medallion Trilogy", Finding Mercy. While I thoroughly enjoyed the first in the series I absolutely loved the second in the series.

Set during the post Civil War period, Finding Mercy is the story of Mercy, a young woman with amnesia, and Army Captain Elijah Hale. I met these two wonderful characters in the first book of the series and I liked them. But I have to say that the authors revealed so much more of their characters in this book that they came to life for me and I hated to let them go. But since the series is a trilogy I can only hope that they will return in the third book.

Finding Mercy is a story of discovery, old secrets, the war torn South, forgiveness, faith and love. There was so much packed into this book that I could hardly wait to find out what happened next. I will say, in my humble opinion, this book would make a wonderful movie.

If you enjoy reading historical novels, especially set during the post Civil War period, you will love this book. It is packed with history of the issues people faced in the South following the Civil War. 

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and David C. Cook publishers for my copy of Finding Mercy. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

NIV Once-a-Day Bible For Leaders

NIV Once-a-Day Bible for Leaders is a Bible that is broken down into 365 daily readings. Each day you will have a portion of the Old Testament, New Testament and either Psalms or Proverbs. Because it is set up by days, you can easily read through the Bible in one year.

I have had once-a-day Bibles before that are set up by actual dates such as January 1st, November 21st, etc. I have to say I prefer having them simply say, Day 1, Day 325 etc. This way if a person starts the Bible on April 28th, they can begin on Day 1 instead of moving through the Bible to April 28th. Some people probably would still start on January 1 but I'm not one of those people. :)

The one thing that sets this Bible apart from others is it has a section at the end of each day entitled "Reflections". These segments are written by different people within the Christian community. Some I have heard of, in fact, one is the pastor I used to have when I lived in California But there are some others I"m learning from for the first time. The reflections are all very insightful.

I would highly suggest this Bible to anyone looking for a once-a-day Bible even if you aren't in management or a leadership position.

I would like to thank BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan for my copy of NIV Once-a-Day Bible for Leaders. I received my copy for free in order to give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Deceived by Irene Hannon

Reading suspense novels by Irene Hannon is always such a treat for me. Her newest novel, Deceived, is the third book in her "Private Justice" series and in my humble opinion it is another winner! The first book in the series is Vanished (read my review here) and the second book in the series is Trapped (read my review here).

Deceived is the story of Kate Marshall, a woman who lost her husband and four year old son in a boating accident three years prior to the start of the story. She now lives in St. Louis and while on a shopping trip to the mall she hears a young boy ask his father for a poppysicle. This was a term her son always used for popsicle so it got her attention. She is going one direction on the escalator and when she turns and looks she sees a young boy that looks just like her son with hair the same color as her own going in the opposite direction. She calls her son's name and and little boy turns. Before she can turn around and go after him, he and the man he was with disappear into the crowd. Not sure what to believe, she contacts law enforcement but they don't believe that the little boy she saw was really her son. So she contacts Connor Sullivan, a Private Investigator with Phoenix, Inc. While he is a little skeptical, when he hears her story, he agrees to try to find the boy. This is the foundation for Deceived.

My heart went out to Kate Marshall.While being strong, she was very vulnerable and I was rooting for her throughout the book. As for Conner Sullivan, I loved his character. He is a strong former Secret Service agent who was drawn to Kate from the very beginning. They both are complex characters and I loved how Ms. Hannon revealed their character to the reader.

Irene Hannon's suspense novels are known to have a few twists and turns in the plotline and she doesn't disappoint the reader with this novel. There were times I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting for what was to come next. Just when I thought I knew how it was going to end I was surprised.

Riveting plotline, captivating complex characters and a Christian thread are found in Deceived. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys good Christian suspense fiction. I would highly recommend this book.

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. I received my copy of Deceived for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,