And It was Beautiful!!

And It was Beautiful
Kara Tippetts

Book Summary: “I was here. I saw beauty. I embraced it.”—Kara Tippetts. How do you live out extravagant love in the everyday moments? How do you celebrate grace when your life turns out differently than the one you dreamed? Kara Tippetts discovered how to find joy in the small moments of life. She learned how to hold tight to hope even while battling intense physical and emotional pain. And she lived out the truth that God can redeem any story. In her final book, Kara offers gentle reflections on living and dying well. She invites us to cultivate soft hearts even when we face great disappointment. Her ideas for living are hard-won, wrestled with in the crucible of family, illness, and faith. And her constant reminder is that whether we are in the midst of dark days or mundane moments Jesus is always there, life is surprisingly beautiful, and God is forever good.
Review: Breathtaking, Magical, and Heartwarming all in one. Read with a whole box of tissues!!! I own her other two book and they are now on my must read list. Oh how wonderful and awful the events of life. A great gift to die being able to say goodbye and yet so awfully sad to loose this wonderful soul who has taught much to the church in such a short time. I want to live an ordinary life that touches lives like Kara and her family. What a tremendous role model. I have read a similar theme, but that was not autobiographical. This was more personal, more of soul kiss. I cried as the book progressed. Thank to the family and friends of the Tippetts for gifting me with insights that will last forever. Life has never seemed more real than through Kara’s eyes.


I would like to thank Net Galley and David C Cook for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Lifelong Love was Lovingly Delivered

Lifelong Love
Gary Thomas

Book Summary: Gary Thomas believes couples often settle for too little when it comes to marriage. We fail to understand how deeply God cares about our spouse. We diminish our need to not only understand what biblical love really is, but also to become a people who excel at it. We let ourselves drift apart instead of making the daily choices to grow closer together. Whether your marriage needs a complete makeover, a touch up, or just a new purpose, A Lifelong Love promises to set your relationship on an entirely new dimension. You will never look at worship or your spouse in the same way again. You will understand how living for that day will so radically transform the decisions you make this day. And Gary will guide you through the power shifts and seasonal mine fields that blow up so many marriages so that you can grow in your love instead of in your disappointment. Thirty years of study and two decades of working with couples has led Gary Thomas to his most significant book yet on the relationship between husband and wife. Find out for yourself what all the fuss is about—and why A Lifelong Love is sure to challenge the way the church talks about marriage.


Review: Fantastic book!!! Read it slow and think about the various Biblical references. He has such insight about God’s plan for marriage. I found the topic thought provoking and worth praying about. I agree that marriage changes as time continues. I agree with Mr. Thomas when he talked about all the books that abound on have a ‘happy marriage’ in the earthly sense, he sees contentment and satisfaction is a choice. Another excellent point is that marriages that are me centered is not the point of marriage. It is other centered. As that topic and idea was explored it was freeing and frightening. Yet, that is exactly how our relationship with God. It explored out others are most important and that you have to pray and love your spouse without wanting to get anything, oh that is so hard. Mr. Thomas has such insight into relationships and the Bible it is a wonderfully freeing concept with biggest question being reward in heaven or on earth. If I seek only getting for me from my relationship than I will have my reward, if I seek my husband’s best than I will see the Lord in my marriage and thus my reward will be in heaven. One of the best things that was tapped into is that even if my husband does not give me attention or affection, I will always have God, who cares for me more than anyone else does. This was a great comfort. It was such a comfort to know that Mr. Thomas sees both sides of the coin when talking to couples and wants the best for both. It is a must read for newlyweds to those who are celebrating a golden anniversary.

I would like to thank Net Galley and David C Cook for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Mermaid Moon was a Full of Surprises!!!

Mermaid Moon
Colleen Coble

Book Summary: Mallory's mother died fifteen years ago. But her father's last words on the phone were unmistakable: “Find . . . mother.” Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn't have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point. Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O'Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart—and left—without a word, years ago. When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life—and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie—their search intensifies. There's a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father's killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

Review: Really enjoyed this story. Unfortunately I started out confusing this series with the Hope Beach series. I finally did get straighten out due to Claire and her sister. I found the rustic life in Maine to be fun and as rural as Maine truly is. I enjoyed the characters, although Mallory tended to hold onto the past a little too much. Her neighbor Carol was well written. The book had some twists and turns I was not expecting which makes it a must read in my book. I liked the theme of forgiveness that was running through the book. Kevin was great, the best character of all. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I thought that finding her birth father was exciting and that her father truly had changed life in Christ. While the books are great and Colleen Coble does have a theme of Christianity running through it she has decreased the intensity of it and Mallory’s birth father was the strongest Christian in the book with Kevin being 2nd. I really loved that part. It was not preachy just a factual change of life. Those are something that can speak the loudest. I hope her books continue to be that way.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Traces of Guilt is a Guilty Pleasure!

Traces of Guilt
Dee Henderson

Book Summary: A Riveting Cold-Case Mystery from Dee Henderson
Evie Blackwell loves her life as an Illinois State Police Detective . . . mostly. She's very skilled at investigations and has steadily moved up through the ranks. She would like to find Mr. Right, but she has a hard time imagining how marriage could work, considering the demands of her job. Gabriel Thane is a lifetime resident of Carin County and now its sheriff, a job he loves. Gabe is committed to upholding the law and cares deeply for the residents he's sworn to protect. He too would like to find a lifetime companion, a marriage like his parents have. When Evie arrives in Carin, Illinois, it's to help launch a new task force dedicated to reexamining unsolved crimes across the state. Spearheading this trial run, Evie will work with the sheriff's department on a couple of its most troubling missing-persons cases. As she reexamines old evidence to pull out a few tenuous new leads, she unearths a surprising connection . . . possibly to a third cold case. Evie's determined to solve the cases before she leaves Carin County, and Sheriff Thane, along with his family, will be key to those answers.

Review: Great Characters and story line. The two mysteries were great for thinking and trying to guess who did the crime and what happened. I think the premise of the story was great! The details were a little overwhelming! Almost too many characters and too much going on at times. I loved Evie, the character was well written and enjoyable. Great procedural story with a lot of details about an overwhelming amount of information. Took a bit of time to get through the book, like going through each of Evie’s files. I liked all the characters, but sometimes the characters are lacking in a way to connect.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Sins of the Past Come Back to Haunt!

Sins of the Past
Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason

Book Summary: Three Novellas from Bestselling Authors

In Dee Henderson's "Missing," a Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident, and a race against the clock begins.

Dani Pettrey returns to Alaska with "Shadowed," introducing readers to the parents of her beloved McKenna clan. Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who may actually be a possible Russian defector.

Lynette Eason's "Blackout" delivers the story of a woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found--but her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her?



Review: Great set of authors that come together for an equally great story from each of them!!!

Missing - Intense beginning with an exciting adventure to find John’s mom. The speed of the story was fantastic! A lot happened in a the brief pages of this story. About two thirds of the way through the book his mom is found safe and sound. Than unravelling the mystery begins. From start to finish a great read and quite a fast one at that.

Shadowed - A blast from the past. Well captured in this story! The year is 1979 and Libby and Ben, the parents of the McKenna clan are meeting for the first time. A bit of nostalgia, without having to wear the clothes or live through the time again - or perhaps for some the first time. Laying the ground work for the McKenna house and excitement of Alaska rolled into one.

Blackout - Heart pounding and intense story. From the first line to the end this roller coast caps off the book with a true grand finally. The lead characters were flawed and realistic. Macey was not the straight arrow most lead characters are portrayed. Chad was a great lead with some shyness showing throughout. It was well written garnering sympathy for those who died and root for justice to be done. Loved Lilly and want to know when her mystery and romance will happen!

I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.