Before Amen by Max Lucado

Max Lucado's newest book, Before Amen, The Power of a Simple Prayer,  is a "how to" book about prayer. For anyone who has ever wondered how to approach God in prayer or just simply how to pray, this book is for you.

The book is small consisting of nine simple to read chapters.

1. The Pocket Prayer
2. Father...Daddy
3. You Are Good
4. I Need Help
5. Heal Me
6. Forgive Me
7. They Need Help
8. Thank You
9. In Jesus' Name, Amen

I loved the way Mr. Lucado started chapter one, "Hello my name is Max. I'm a recovering prayer wimp. I doze off when I pray. My thoughts zig, then zag, then zig again." I could have made that same statement entering 'Cindy' for Max. Let's be honest, I'm sure some of you out there start prying at bedtime and the next thing you know you are waking up and never said 'amen'. Or you're in church and the pastor is leading prayer and your mind zig's to what to fix for lunch or where you plan to go after church. I'm sure most of us have been there before. If you find this to be true for yourself, this book is for you.

Mr. Lucado shares about the different types of prayer and how we should pray during the times that are the hardest. In the first chapter, he shares with the reader his "Pocket-size Prayer". This prayer is easy to remember and should help the person who feels they don't know how to pray get started.

So many times I have heard people say, 'I don't know how to pray'. Believe me there are many people in the world that feel that way. Mr. Lucado explains, "God will teach you to pray." He also goes on to tell the reader, "Prayer is simply a heartfelt conversation between God and his child". 

I enjoy Max Lucado's writing. It is simple for the reader to understand. In fact, it's like he is sitting across the room talking with you. His explanations are clear and easily understood.

I would highly recommend Before Amen to anyone who wants a clear picture of praying. I truly enjoyed this book.

On a 5-Star scale - *****

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my advanced reader's copy of Before Amen. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

CFBA - The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead by Diane Noble

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead

David C. Cook (September 1, 2014)

by

Diane Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Award-winning novelist Diane Noble writes stories that tap into the secrets of the heart. 

With more than a quarter million books in print, Diane feels incredibly blessed to be doing what she loves best—writing the stories of her heart.

For the last three years Diane has been honored to be lead author for the popular Guideposts series, Mystery and the Minister’s Wife (Through the Fire, Angels Undercover), and has recently returned to writing historical fiction. She recently finished writing book two of her new historical series, The Brides of Gabriel. Book one, The Sister Wife, and book 2, The Betrayal, which are published by Harper Collins/Avon Inspire, are now in bookstores.

Now empty nesters, Diane and her husband live in the Southern California low desert, near a place known for the lush and beautiful gated communities of the rich and famous.

ABOUT THE BOOK

She’s Passionate about Solving the Case ... with the Town’s Life-Long Bachelor

El Littllefield runs The Butler Did It catering. It’s the perfect cover for her to solve “who-done-its” (nothing too dangerous, please!) in this small university town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While catering her most important event yet—a fancy retirement dinner for Dr. Max Haverhill, life-long bachelor and history dean—countless guests fall ill, a 200 year-old relic is stolen, and her best friend vanishes. All in the first hour.

As El and Max race to solve the mystery, they discover there’s more to their relationship than simply solving the case. Welcome to Eden’s Bridge—the perfect small town setting for big intrigue, romance, and humor.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead, go HERE

My Thoughts:

I love a good mystery and especially one that pulls me into the story from the very first page. I loved that we were taken back to Paris, France during WWII in the first chapter. This pulled me into the story right off and it set the pace for what was to come.

This was my first experience in reading a novel by Diane Noble but I'm sure I will be reading more of her work in the future. She has created wonderful quirky characters that endear themselves to the reader.

I would highly recommend reading  The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead to anyone who loves a good mystery.

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my copy of The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Nowhere to Turn by Lynette Eason

NOWHERE TO TURN (Hidden Identity book 2)

Author:  

    Lynette Eason

Publisher:  

    Revell

Realease Date:  

    September 2, 2014

Market:  

    Christian

Genre:  

    Romantic Suspense

Length:  

    320 pages

My Rating:

    *****

My Expectations:

Blurb from the back of the book

She thought her days of hiding were over... but the danger has just begun.
The day Danielle Harding takes her eleven-year-old son and flees from her abusive husband is the same day Kurt Harding dies. A relieved Dani belies she and her son are finally safe -- but in reality, things are just heating up. When Kurt was alive, he took something important from a mysterious individual -- who wants the item back and believes Dani now has it. As she and her son run for their lives, they have nowhere to turn, until she hires Adam Buchanan of Operation Refuge and goes into hiding. Unfortunately, she won't be able to hide for long...

The Reason I Wanted to Read this Book

I have read many of Lynette Eason's books and loved everyone. I also read the first book in the series, No One to Trust (read my review here), so I pretty well knew what to expect.

Romantic Suspsense is my favorite genre to read.

I'm often drawn to cover art and the cover of Nowhere to Turn is intriguing. Notice the man's shadow?

My Expectations:

Having read the first book in the "Hidden Identity: series, I expected a fast paced suspenseful novel filled with several twists and turns that would keep me glued to the edge of my seat.

I expected characters that, although fiction, seem completely real and believable.

Adam Buchanan, the male lead, had a small but very important part in the first book of the series. I was hoping to see his character be redeemed in book two.

CRITIQUE

Did the author fulfull my expectations?

In one word... YES! From the first sentence to the last, Ms. Eason took me on an adventurous, suspenseful journey. Her writing was superb, her lead characters had romantic sparks flying almost from the beginning and the Christian thread worked well within the story.

There are times, when I am reading a book, that the author doesn't capture my interest with their dialogue. In those cases, I find myself thinking of how I could take the story and make it different. When that happens I don't always enjoy the book as much as I would like. I can honestly say Nowhere to Turn flowed from start to finish with well written dialogue that didn't sound forced. When dialogue works, the characters appear real and bring their story to life.

Ms. Eason has a knack for creating well developed, believable characters that do bring her stories to life. Danielle (Dani) Harding's life was falling apart when she first meets Adam Buchanan. Although subtle at first, there were sparks from the beginning. Ms. Eason allowed her characters to grow and learn about each other slowly during their fast paced journey.

Nowhere to Turn, as in all of Lynette Eason's books, is a page-turner that keeps the reader on the edge of their seats. The tension of the story is strong and what sets the pace of the story from start to finish. While the characters help move the story along, the story is driven by the story line itself.

As previously mentioned, the romantic story line started slow, but this is due to the circumstances surrounding why Dani & Adam are together. I wouldn't say there was a lot of romantic tension in this book but there is definitely a lot of suspenseful tension.

While at times the story seemed a little predictable to me, Ms. Eason kept me engaged until the end. I would highly recommend reading Nowhere to Turn. It is a book that I believe would appeal to anyone who enjoys suspenseful fiction.

Lynette Eason has created another exceptional suspenseful novel that takes her readers on an extremely eventful trip. I look forward to the next book in this series, No Place to Hide, which is due out in Summer of 2015.

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

Smiles & Blessings,

A Bride in Store by Melissa Jaegers

A Bride in Store 

• Author:  
      Melissa Jagears
  Publisher:  
      Bethany House Publishers
  Realease Date:  
      September 2, 2014
  Market:  
      Christian
  Genre:  
      Historical Romance
  Length:  
      368 pages
  My Rating:
    *****  
  

  
  
• I truly love a good mail order bride story and Melissa Jagears has just created another mail order bride masterpiece with her sophomore offering, A Bride in Store. This is Ms. Jagears second novel in her "Unexpected Brides Series", which follows her debut novel A Bride for Keeps (read my review here).

The story begins in 1881 as Eliza Cantrell, a mail order bride, is on a train bound for Salt Flatts, Kansas to meet and marry her intended. However, the train is held up and everyone is robbed before they can get to their destination. What transpires in the first chapter sets the pace for this wonderful historical romance that is filled with a few surprises along the way.

I loved Ms. Jagears debut novel and this one is just as good, if not better. She has a way of creating flawed characters that endear themselves to the reader. If you have read any of my reviews before, you will know that I love an author that can create a well developed character that will pull the reader into their world. Ms. Jagears has the ability to do just that.

A Bride in Store is a story of two people who have huge dreams for their lives but are struggling to make them a reality. They find themselves on a journey of self discovery and a spiritual journey as well. They are flawed but real and that in itself makes for a believable story.

If you enjoy a good historical romance I would highly recommend picking up a copy of A Bride in Store. I guarantee that you will love this book.

On a 5-Star scale = 5 HUGE stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Melissa Jagears and Bethany House for my copy of A Bride in Store. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

CFBA - A Grand Design by Amber Stockton

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Grand Design

Abingdon Press (August 19, 2014)

by

Amber Stockton

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Words from the author:


Hi, I'm Amber, but my friends call me Tiff, short for Tiffany, my first name. I am in my mid-30's, married to the love of my life since July 2007, have a daughter and a son, and live in Colorado. Here, I am content to do what I love—write, speak, and offer virtual assistance.

Thanks to the gentle nudging of a fellow author -- Tracie Peterson -- in 2002, I joined the American Christian Fiction Writers and wouldn't be published today without them. For those of you who are also fiction writers looking for a wonderful support group, check them out! My very first book, Promises, Promises, sold in December 2006 and released in February 2008. I've been going steady ever since.

ABOUT THE BOOK


When Alyssa Denham, a single career woman, wins a fun getaway for two on Mackinac Island where her grandmother lives, she gives her carefree best friend a call. Together, they tour the old shops and hidden treasures of the quaint island while helping Alyssa’s grandmother piece together an heirloom quilt. Their quest gains them entrance into the homes of many longtime residents of the island, parts of the city that are otherwise off limits to tourists.
As the quilt’s story takes shape, Alyssa gains amazing insight into her grandmother’s life . . . and attracts the attention of the handsome Scott Whitman, an island resident in charge of hotel transportation. Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa’s fractured heart—and bring healing to her entire family?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Grand Design, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS:

I love reading books in the Quilts of Love series and the newest book in the series, A Grand Design, by Amber Stockton was an extremely enjoyable read. Ms. Stockton used Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel as her setting for this delightful read.

While the characters weren't complex they did treat the reader to a fun journey around the island and hotel making this reader want to take a journey to Mackinac Island some time soon.

The quilt in this book is a friendship quilt and what happens with it in the end is quite sweet. But since I don't give out spoilers, you'll have to read A Grand Design for yourself to find out.

This is a story of new beginnings and setting the memories of the past free. The setting plays a large part in the story and I guarantee you will want to make a journey to Mackinac Island after reading the book. Even if it is just to see the places where the movie Somewhere in Time was made.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good clean read.

On a 5-Star scale - 4 Stars!!!!

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

Smiles & Blessings,

Evergreen by Susan May Warren

Whether you are already a fan of Susan May Warren's Christiansen family or not, Ms. Warren's newest book in the Christiansen family series is one not to be missed. This is the story of the Patriarch and Matriarch of the family, John and Ingrid Christiansen.

This is the story of 'empty-nesters' and how they deal with having a house full of children to having none. At least for awhile anyway. Ms. Warren shows how John and Ingrid look at things differently and how they have to learn to compromise.

I will admit I shed more than a few tears in this book but I can't tell you why or it will ruin the story for you. I will suggest you have some tissues handy just in case.

Evergreen is the story of endings and new beginnings, of truth and consequences, of love and forgiveness. Ms. Warren has masterfully created characters that make the reader feel what they feel.

I would highly recommend picking up a copy of Evergreen. This book is a novella and while it is a mere 185 pages long it packs a powerful punch. It is a book that even if you never read any of Ms. Warren's other Christiansen family stories you should read this one. 

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

I would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers for my copy of Evergreen to review. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest opinion, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

In Perfect Time - by Sarah Sundin

If you want to read great fiction set during WWII, then you must pick up a book by Sarah Sundin. I just finished In Perfect Time, her third book in the "Wings of the Nightingale" series and I think it was the best of the three. The first book in the series is With Every Letter (read my review here) and the second book in the series is On Distant Shores read my review here. All three books can be read as 'stand-alones' but I would highly recommend reading them in order or you will encounter some spoilers.

In Perfect Time is the story of Army Air Force flight nurse Lt. Kay Jobson and C-47 pilot Lt. Roger Cooper. I didn't really like Kay's character in the first two books but as the layers were stripped away from her in this book she became one of my favorite characters of the entire series. I will admit, I've loved Lt. Roger Cooper from the earlier books because he seemed so shy. This book peels the layers back on his character too and what the reader finds is a wonderful loving caring man who needs to learn to forgive himself for his past. 

This book is a story of hope, faith, love, trust and forgiveness. Ms. Sundin allowed the characters to get themselves into situations that made me want to shake them, hug them, kick them in their britches and hug them some more. All the characters of this series became real to me. I could hardly wait for In Perfect Time to come out and now I am sad that it's over. I truly loved this series. I wish Ms. Sundin would write one more in the series about a year or two after the war so we could see how their lives progressed. I must admit, I did love the way she tied up all the stories at the end of this book.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 GIGANTIC Stars!!!!! I absolutely LOVED it!

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

Smiles & Blessings,