Promises... Promises....

Description
A young couple, each harboring a life-changing secret, struggle to rebuild trust and rekindle genuine love before it's too late.

My thoughts:  On our wedding day, we make promises, we think we are going to keep with all of our heart, but what happens when your world comes crashing down.

The Promise begins with Tom Anderson, the oldest son of the couple from The Dance, he’s lost his IT job five months ago, and is hiding it from everyone… and I mean everyone including his wife. His day consists of going to coffees shop to cop free Wi-Fi so he can find a job.

Tom isn’t the only one with secrets, Jean, Tom’s submissive wife, hasn’t been feeling well and she thinks they are about to add to their young family, but Tom has been acting so strange lately, could he be having an affair?

With appearances from characters from the first book in the series The Dance, this book has a full cast of characters who go through transformation. I would definitely recommend reading The Dance and then The Promise because you can appreciate the character development that much more.

The Restoration Series is a great look at relationships, and the power of God and his ability to transform us.  

Smalley who co-wrote the Redemption Series with Karen Kingsbury has found another winner, and we are blessed by great stories of people navigating life and finding their promise.

Images and description are courtesy of the publisher and Netgalley.  The thoughts are all my own.

Ray of Light

I know long time no write... life has been busy, but I'm back and I have a fantastic book to share... since this is from my personal collection I just got I don't have a picture or description instead of just got my humble opinion.  

Shelley Shepard Gray 's Ray of Light is fantastic.  This is the second story in the Days of

Redemption series and I love it.  For those of you who didn't read Daybreak (the first in 
the series) you won't be lost... I promise.  Shelley does a great job of filling us in as 
the story unfolds.

Ray of Light features Roman Keim, who is vacationing in the Amish and Mennonite 
community of Pinecraft, FL, and meets a charming widow, Amanda and 
her precious little girl, Regina.  

After a precarious first meeting, Amanda and Roman form a tentative bond so much so 

that neither of them want to see their vacations end.  

Can Amanda move past her grief and the past that's holding her back, can Roman
 balance the needs of his family (who is in the middle of their own strife)
 and his community?

Besides a great story of two souls trying to work beyond the past, we're also treated to 

Amanda's former in-laws and Roman's complicated family, who are like each of us, 
flawed creatures.  

I couldn't put this down and I promise you won't be able to either.  

Sundays in Fredericksburg

Sundays in Fredericksburg by Eileen Key, Lynette Sowell, Connie Stevens, Marjorie Vawter
Description:  From 1898 to present day, four generations of Texan women encounter love in Fredericksburg’s Sunday Houses. Amelia Bachman, who became a schoolteacher to avoid marriage, finds her determination crumbling when a carpenter keeps crossing her path. Mildred Zimmermann is nursing a patient who begins healing her heart and soul. Trudy Meier’s sense of adventure is challenged by a roving columnist. Gwendolyn Zimmermann’s world is rocked by a geologist. Will these women have enough courage to love a stranger and enough faith to trust God with their future?

My thoughts:  This is a great collection of short stories that you will fall in love with.  This is a compilation of four women of the Zimmerman family.  Each of the characters is well-crafted and you can feel the love and realities of each couple despite of the walk back in time.  

I've begun to like Historical Fiction more and more and while Gwendolyn's story is modern the stories of her ancestors that will lead you to her story will touch your heart and transport you to another time.  It will be out 4/1/2013 and is a great read.

The image and description shared are courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your family.

Who Am I?

I have no review today not because I haven't been reading great books that I promise I will share, but instead this is on my heart.  Instead of a book review, I've been reading "the book" -- the Bible and have heard this scripture more than once in the last 24 hours.

Who are we in God's eyes, who are we in the world's eyes... are we going where God wants us to go...

Ephesians 1: 3-8 (NLT)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.  He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.  He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Sometimes we can feel lost and not know what direction we should be going, but I've been reminded that it doesn't change who we are.  We are chosen and blessed because of God's infinite and unending love, love that was so deep he gave his son to die for each and everyone one of us on a cross, so it doesn't matter if I work outside of the home or in the home, it doesn't matter what role or position I have, I have one position and that is a servant of an amazing God who will give me the direction I need in his time. 

Today's inspiration was from two teachers who God has blessed my life with.  I hope this blesses you wherever you are in your day.

The Chance

Description:  From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes a heartwarming story about childhood friends, broken lives, and a long ago promise that just might offer the hope of love for today.
Dubbed the “Queen of Christian Fiction” by Time magazine, #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is arguably America’s favorite inspirational novelist with a dozen bestsellers to her credit. In The Chance, she delves deeply into a theme that resonates with us all: It’s never too late for those willing to take a chance.

Years ago, the day before Ellie moved from Georgia to California, she and her best friend Nolan sat beneath the Spanish moss of an ancient oak tree where they wrote letters to each other, and sealed them in a rusty old metal box. The plan was to return eleven years later and read them. But now, as that date arrives, much has changed. Ellie, bereft of the faith she grew up with, is a single mom living in a tired apartment trying to make ends meet. Sometimes she watches television to catch a glimpse of her old friend —Nolan, now an NBA star, whose terrible personal tragedies fueled his faith and athletic drive in equal measure. But Nolan also suffers from a transcendent loneliness that nothing has ever eased.

In their separate lives, as Ellie and Nolan move toward the possibility of a reunion at the oak tree, Kingsbury weaves a tale of heart-wrenching loss, the power of faith, and the wounds that only love can heal.

My thoughts:  Ellie and Nolan were best friends.  Ellie's world falls apart when her mother has a one night stand and her dad moves her from Georgia to California.  The night before Ellie is leaving for California after her Dad's quick decision to move across country, Nolan and Ellie meet under a Spanish moss tree (their favorite spot) and bury the letters in a rusted metal box.  11 years later, they are supposed to meet but Ellie is a single mom and Nolan is now an NBA star.  

Ellie and Nolan in their years apart have suffered some great losses and have been irrevocably been changed by all that has happened in their lives.  Has Nolan's fame changed him, and would Nolan be able to accept all that Ellie is now?

Kingsbury has many fans including me, for those who thinks no books can live up to the Baxter Series, you need to try to this new stand alone book that has a cameo appearance from the couple from The Bridge.  This will be in stores March 5th and will be a must read.
The images and descriptions shared are courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine, and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your family. 

Do You Worry?

Freedom From Worry by Patricia Wilson 

Description:   Are you waking several times a night, obsessing over some situation you can’t control? Perhaps you’re anxious about your job, a strained relationship, your finances, aging parents, your children, health issues, or the state of the world. 
God calls you to leave your worrying behind, Patricia Wilson reminds you in this brief book packed with helpful suggestions for letting go of your worries. Twenty-eight days of prayer can help reduce your anxiety level. Ponder the devotions and pray the Psalms and other prayers in this practical, easy-to-use book. 
Let Patricia Wilson, with her warm, personal style, help you learn how to give your worries to the Good Shepherd. As you focus your attention and energy on God, you will learn to relax and see that God will take care of you, no matter what.

My thoughts:  How many of us worry... I know you have to admit it too... We really need to give our worries over to God which I know I get better and better at all the time.  Patricia Wilson's Freedom From Worry is an awesome easy-to-use book.  This book is a great tool to pray your way through the Psalms and give your prayers over to the one who has control.  

What I love about this book is the simplicity, each devotion pairs up with a different Psalm, focusing on certain verses from the Psalm of the day.  It really allows you to focus in on God and releasing all of your cares onto him.

This is a great book, whether or not you are a worrier or not.  Freedom from Worry is available March 1st.  

The images and descriptions shared are courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine, and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your family. 

Two New Great Books for Teens

What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God: Embracing God's Amazing Adventure for You

Lysa TerKeurst and Hope TerKeurst

Description: Lysa TerKeurst, president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and New York Times bestselling author, invites young women to begin the great adventure of living the life God has for them. With her welcoming style, Lysa shares the transformation and hope that await readers when they partner with God in decisions, pursuits, and dreams. Special sections include:

"Living Y.E.S." (Your Extraordinary Story)--how to personalize the power of yes "YES in Action" stories from Lysa's teen daughter, Hope, about living and sharing faith a bible study for each chapter

Young women will discover how to: listen for God's voice watch for God's leading daily let God use them to impact others.

This is an invitation to boldly ask for and expect more from life and the Christian walk. Young women will experience a journey of deep joy and great purpose that will have lasting impact.

My thoughts: What Happens When a Young Woman Say Yes to God is a great book.  The easy to read chapters with relatable stories will be great for any young woman in your life.  We all struggle even those of us who are not young women any longer is what we doing in line with God’s plan for our lives.  Lysa gives young women a map of how to really find God’s will for you. 

This study which incorporates her thoughts and scripture as well as contributions from her daughter, Hope, will be a great tool in any youth ministry.  Lysa discusses her obedience to God and how it has transformed her life and the lives of others.  We often pause when we hear God’s voice, how many times do we dismiss God because we think an idea is too big for ourselves, even as adults.

This is truly an awesome read for young women trying to find God’s way for them in the world. 

Prodigal

A Different Kind of Love Story

Rektok Ross    

Description: It was supposed to be Lexy Quinn's year. The hard-working wallflower has finally landed the coveted spot as Editor of her school's newspaper. Then the rug is ripped out from under her when she finds out her mom is sick, and the family is moving half-way across the country to Preston Hills, Texas. Lexy can't think of a worse place to be than at a school full of snobby rich kids where she'll have to start all over to get people to notice her writing, or--who is she kidding?--notice her at all. When the most swoon-worthy boy in town, who also happens to be the jock celebrity quarterback, gives her an exclusive interview, Lexy's life takes an unexpected turn. Ash Preston is the perfect guy and, even better, he sees Lexy as she wants to be seen. But can she trust him? PRODIGAL is a different kind of love story, where faith, romance, and God converge . . . and it just might change the way you look at your life.

My thoughts: 

Prodigal, Rektok Ross’ debut novel is a great teen read.  The story is a great coming of age tale but also a story of coming into faith.  Alexandria “Lexy” Quinn is about to begin her senior year, when she is suddenly uprooted to move to Preston Hills, Texas, because her mother has cancer.  Lexy has never been the popular girl and is anxious for a spot on the school newspaper, when she meets Ash, brother of the popular girl at school, who has given her grief. 

As the year goes on, Lexy and Ash’s relationship grows, and Lexy is also introduced to Ash’s and her girlfriend Preston’s faith.  Soon as her life takes unexpected turns, Lexy begins to realize that there must be more than what she knows. 

While there are some great makeover scenes as well as your usual high school activities of dances and football games, this book goes beyond the normal high school fluff and talks of grace and forgiveness and paints teens in a positive light.

The images and descriptions shared are courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine, and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your family. 

Are Things Changing for You?

Sometimes we hit a crossroads in our life, where we need to make new decisions, find our purpose, many times we aren't prompted by unforeseen circumstances which lead us to a new adventure... a new job, a new life.  

Here are two very different women who are embarking on a new journey... I hope you are inspired by their stories as you handle wherever you are on your journey.

Description:  Recently widowed Rachel Kaufman is seeking a fresh start for herself and her son, Justin. Will a move to Florida, her new job as hospital chaplain, and Pinecraft’s Mennonite community be the balm to soothe her grieving soul? Teenager Justin is struggling to fit in. Will a newfound sense of power as a bully be his only recourse? Dr. Ben Booker lost his faith when his niece Sally became ill. Will his attraction to Rachel restore him mentally and spiritually? When gossip about Rachel jeopardizes her career and her second chance at love, how will God work to turn a potential disaster into paradise?

My Thoughts:  I was hesitant to read this but as many of you know if God puts something in your path long enough you may listen.  I was hesitant because I share so much Amish Fiction with you that I didn't just want to share another Amish Fiction novel.  Well, partially I was redeemed in the fact that Rachel is Mennonite and she goes through a heart wrenching circumstance and in A Mother's Promise, she needs to decide what's best for her son.  This is an amazing book I couldn't put it down as Rachel tries to navigate uncharted waters things aren't always smooth sailing but you are in for an adventure.  I'm looking for the other books now in the Women of Pinecraft Series.   

Description: Sometimes there’s a thin line between love and hate. . .

Violet Matthews has always been unlucky in love, but it never bothered her until her little sister’s wedding. The idea of facing the event alone is more than she can stand, and she’s determined to have a date. Online dating, speed dating. . .she doesn’t care what it takes. And when that fails, she hires a matchmaker. Leave it to a professional, right?

Wrong. When Violet arrives for lunch with her match, she is horrified. She’s been paired with Jackson Stratford, an old college classmate. She didn’t like him then and she doesn’t like him now. But Jackson has a plan: he’ll be her “boyfriend” at the wedding if she’ll be his “girlfriend” at his high school reunion. And no one will be the wiser.

As they go on a series of dates designed to make them look like a real couple, they’re surprised by how much fun they have together. But when the past rears its ugly head, Violet and Jackson find themselves on shaky ground.  Can they turn their faux relationship into something real, or are there some wounds that cannot heal?

My Thoughts:  In A Wedding Date in Hot Springs, Arkansas we meet Violet, who is a quirky witty woman who is on track to become partner at her family law firm or so she thinks, but life has some other twists for her.  Her sister's boyfriend gets the partnership and then proposes to her younger sister, who can't resist trying to hurt her older sister.  

So what do you do when you don't want to be the old mail, hire a matchmaker.  What happens when the matchmaker pairs you up with someone who you are less than fond of from your past (and that's putting it mildly).  Of course, you pretend date him to get your family off your back... this was a fast read that keeps you guessing and you'll fall in love with Violet just as Jackson just might. 

The images and descriptions shared are courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine, and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your family. 

Awesome New Book by Jill Kelly

Etched Upon My Heart… as I write this I feel like I need to take a deep breath from the overwhelming emotions that this book brings out in its reader.  Last year, I heard Jill Kelly share her testimony on our local Christian radio station, so when I saw this book again, I immediately was ready to read more, but I wasn’t ready for how beautiful and profound this book would be.

Jill Kelly in Etched Upon My Heart tells with life’s most deep emotions and actions:  love, forgiveness, suffering, prayer, giving, faithfulness, as well as others.  Jill will ask as you begin to read the book to bring your own memories along for the ride.  You can’t help but remember as Jill lays her heart and soul bare for her readers. 

One of the many cool things in this book is the Bible verses at the end of each chapter that relate to the topic she’s discussed.  One of my favorite examples of this is at the end of the chapter on Significance; Jill shares one of my favorite Bible passages. 

Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  I will be found by you”, says the LORD…

You need to read Jill Kelly’s Etched Upon My Heart when it’s available tomorrow, not because I said so, but because she will touch your heart and your mind with her thoughtful sharing and insights. 

The image and description shared are courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine, and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your family. 

The Heart of the Matter

Recently, I have been thinking a lot about what people see when they see me, do they see my heart?  Am I living my life in a way that's glorifying God?  I've been thinking about this verse a lot lately.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him.  The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them.  People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Aren't you glad that the Lord looks at your heart and not just what the world sees.  Of course, this also doesn't allow us to hide from God...so how's your heart?

The Discovery

Description:  The Discovery—A Six-Part Serial Novel Series from NY Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter
Wanda E. Brunstetter delivers a fresh take on Amish romance with her one-of-a-kind Discovery series. Releasing as a serial novel, the compelling love story will be broken into 6 short books releasing consecutively over a six-month period. Each novel will end in a heart-wrenching cliffhanger that will leave readers dying to know what happens next. The story follows a newlywed Amish couple in Lancaster County whose relationship faces insurmountable odds.
Book #1: Goodbye to Yesterday

Join Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus, an Amish couple who are faced with the greatest challenge of their young lives. Financial struggles. Arguments. A suspected pregnancy. A last-minute trip to Middlebury, Indiana. A drug addict on the run. A deadly encounter at a Philadelphia bus station. Will their love and faith be enough to bring them back together again, against all odds?

Book #2: The Silence of Winter

Meredith can’t wait to hear from Luke. . . .

Meredith Stoltzfus longs for the sound of her husband’s voice. She needs to know Luke has arrived safely in Indiana and hear his excitement about a new career opportunity. Most of all she needs reassurance of his love. Financial stress has taken its toll. Surely this new job will be the light at the end of the dark tunnel their young marriage seems to be trapped in. And maybe this call would be a good time to finally share her big news. . . .

But Luke’s call never comes. Instead, Meredith receives news that tears her heart to shreds and leaves her just barely living.

How will Meredith go on?

My thoughts:  Goodbye to Yesterday is the beginning of a great new series of short novels, The Discovery, that will be out February 1st.  Goodbye to Yesterday lays the groundwork for a great new series about a young Amish couple who are struggling like so many people are struggling these days.  Luke lost his job as a woodworker and has been given an opportunity to buy his uncle's business as a grave engraver.  On Luke's journey from Lancaster to Indiana, he runs into a life changing encounter in Philadelphia, will Luke survive, and how will Meredith move on.  

Silence of Winter out March 1st is a continuation of the story, where Meredith tries to move on without Luke, and Meredith tries to come to grips with how to move on without Luke, with a cliffhanger at the end of every short novel.  

I can't wait for the next installment, while Goodbye to Yesterday was a bit slow to start it lays the groundwork for a great new series that will have you hooked just like me.

The images and descriptions shared are courtesy of the publishers and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine, and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your family. 

New Year... What are your Plans?

I wonder how many resolutions made on Tuesday are already out the window.   A new year often brings new hopes, new dreams, new plans.  

What are your plans?  Are they God's plans for your life?  Are you seeking his voice, his vision, his direction, or are you too busy running the show?

My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11.  "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Most of us skip the next part Jeremiah 29:12-13.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  

Are your plans seeking God's will or yours?