A Cousin's Promise by Wanda Brunstetter

Book Description

When a horrific accident cripples Wayne Lambright, he finds it difficult enough to take care of himself, much less Loraine Miller, his future bride. Will he sacrifice his happiness to give her a better life? Having already been jilted once, Loraine is terrified of yet another rejection. But does she love Wayne enough to marry him, for better or worse? When her old boyfriend Jake Beechy returns from exploring the English world, he hopes Loraine will give him another chance. 

Will she renew their love or wed Wayne as promised? How will God work to give Loraine the desires of her heart.

My thoughts:

I read this book in December 2014 but read again recently when I was going through some of my older books.  I have been a fan of this author for quite some time and this series was one of my favorites.

The story moves a great pace and the characters are well developed as I have come to expect from Ms. Brunstetter.  The decision  made by the group of friends to go to an amusement ends in tragedy as the vehicle they are in is involved in a terrible accident which leaves one of the crippled.  The troy follows his recovery and how he deal with his new way of life is realistic and heartbreaking at the same time.

Overall, I found this novel to be one worth reading once again.  

Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything by John Perritt

Book Description

With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him?

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him?

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him?

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him? 

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.

My thoughts:

A nice study guide of the Gospel of Mark geared towards young adults.  I'm certainly not a young adult but felt this would be a nice edition to have in my collection.  I don't normally read too much  nonfiction but found this fairly interesting and recommend it to other readers of all ages. 

If you are a parent or person who works with young adults then this would be a great study to share with a your child or youth group.

I received a copy through Netgalley.  Opinions expressed are my own.

Deadly Christmas Pretense (Roughwater Ranch Cowboys #2) by Dana Mentink

Book Description

A cowboy to her rescue…

but she’s not who he thinks she is.

Posing as her sister for Christmas is the only way to save her, but Maggie Lofton needs help—even if it means working with her twin’s cowboy ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike. But between the bull’s-eye on her back and the dangerous connection she’s forming with Liam, Maggie’s mission is harder than expected. Will their tenuous partnership be enough to shield her when the killer closes in? A cowboy to her rescue…

but she’s not who he thinks she is.

Posing as her sister for Christmas is the only way to save her, but Maggie Lofton needs help—even if it means working with her twin’s cowboy ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike. But between the bull’s-eye on her back and the dangerous connection she’s forming with Liam, Maggie’s mission is harder than expected.

Will their tenuous partnership be enough to shield her when the killer closes in? 

My thoughts:

What a page turner Deadly Christmas Pretense is.  I seriously had a hard time putting this book down because I didn't want to miss out on one single detail in this suspenseful novel.  I knew the action would still be there if I stopped reading but I just kept getting pulled into the storyline. Ms. Mentink has a way of doing that in every book that I read of hers.

Liam Pike is the perfect hero for Maggie Lofton, even if she doesn't realize it at first but you cant really blame her for keeping her distance from him as she pretends to be her twin sister, sinceis he is her twins ex-boyfriend.  I absolutely loved this storyline and the wonderful characters.  

There's enough action and suspense to hold your interest throughout this fast paced, and wonderfully written book.  I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Seconds to Live (Homeland Heroes #1) by Susan Sleeman

Book Description

When cybercriminals hack into the U.S. Marshal's Witness Protection database and auction off personal details to the highest bidder, FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. 

Trouble is, he has to work with U.S. Marshal Taylor Mills, who knows the secrets of his past, and  the seconds are ticking down before someone dies.

My thoughts:

Seconds to Live the first book in the Homeland Heroes series by Ms. Sleeman is a fantastic read. The novel is fast-paced and action packed. The premise of hacking into the Witness Protection database, though frightening to imagine was incredibly interesting and held my attention throughout.  

Taylor Mills and Sean Nichols had been communicating with each other online which I thought was a nice touch and helped explain their friendship which seems plausible given their  careers.  I can easily imagine how they would have had that interaction and made their face to face meeting natural and less awkward.  It made their attraction to each other believable because of their communication with each other.

I loved seeing different agencies working together to protect witnesses and to find who the hacker is. There is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes into what they do to keep us safe. 

Overall, Seconds to Live is an interesting, suspenseful  novel that I really enjoyed and recommend to readers  of this genre. I look forward to the next book in the series to find out what's in store for the Homeland Heroes.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Secrets of Willow Springs -Book2 by Tracy Fredrychowski

Book Synopsis

After spending sixteen years in prison, Marie Cooper is forced to return to Sugarcreek, deep in Amish Country. Forced to take the only job available to her, she finds herself working for wealthy Nathan Bouteright. As her late husband’s memory continues to follow her, who will hold the key to unlock so many unanswered questions about her past? Will she be able to help Emma and Daniel come to terms with who they are, and can they forgive the one person who played God with their lives?

When Marie struggles to get Nathan to trust her, will it be his four-year-old son Amos who shows them there is more to a person than what is on the outside? Or, will a letter from her deceased mother help her find her way back to her faith and the exact place she dropped her thread of obedience?

My thoughts:

Tracy Fredrychowski is a new to me author and I couldn't be more pleased to have read this book.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Marie Cooper and her estranged children. It's certainly different than some other Amish fiction that I have read which is why I enjoyed it so much.

The author gave her characters real challenges in their lives, a mother who is released from prison after 16 years, who is forced to live and find work in an Amish community all the while tying to reconcile with her children.

What I loved about this book is the grittier storyline, the thought that all of us lived charmed , perfect lives with no problems is silly so I was happy to see this Amish community reactions to Marie's presence.  Nathan had an especially difficult time having her in his home and caring for his family which seemed to ring true to me.  I know that I would share his feelings at first until I became more comfortable with the situation.

I was surprised by the twists but that's the purpose of them, right? I was not surprised by how much I enjoyed this well-paced, well-written novel and look forward to more of this authors work.  I loved the characters, the storyline and the lovely setting.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.

The Wedding Dress Christmas by Rachel Hauck

Book Description

December comes to quaint Hearts Bend, Tennessee, with a blanket of white and the glitter of Christmas lights.

For JoJo Castle there is no place like home. Her onetime love of adventure ended when her life in the big city came crashing down. Now that she’s home, she never wants to leave again.

Country music sensation Buck Mathews has charmed the world with his smile and his music. However, news of his mother’s illness brought him home to Hearts Bend for the holiday season.

Working with her cousin Haley in The Wedding Shop, JoJo has no aspirations of love. But when her high school crush returns to town, her buried feelings surface.

Busy with his career, Buck hasn’t had time for family and friends, much less love. Seeing JoJo in The Wedding Shop reminds him there are things more important than his career.

But JoJo and Buck have opposing life goals, and there’s no middle ground. Can love, especially the kind that touches hearts at Christmas, overcome her fears and his quest for greatness?

With the help of a very special wedding dress, there just might a Christmas miracle.

My thoughts:

This is a charming novella that I read in one afternoon.  If you have read the previous books, you will be familiar with the dress, the old battered trunk and the brides from different eras.  This time the bride is JoJo Castle, a young lady who definitely is in no hurry to walk down the aisle.  

My favorite character in this book is Buck Matthews, he is career oriented until he realizes there are more important things in life, then he became family oriented and that's when I truly liked him. I loved the Christmas spirit in the town more than any one characters because that made the story more interesting and believable. 

Overall, a relaxing read and fun way to spend an afternoon.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

December comes to quaint Hearts Bend, Tennessee, with a blanket of white and the glitter of Christmas lights.

For JoJo Castle there is no place like home. Her onetime love of adventure ended when her life in the big city came crashing down. Now that she’s home, she never wants to leave again.

Country music sensation Buck Mathews has charmed the world with his smile and his music. However, news of his mother’s illness brought him home to Hearts Bend for the holiday season.

Working with her cousin Haley in The Wedding Shop, JoJo has no aspirations of love. But when her high school crush returns to town, her buried feelings surface.

Busy with his career, Buck hasn’t had time for family and friends, much less love. Seeing JoJo in The Wedding Shop reminds him there are things more important than his career.

But JoJo and Buck have opposing life goals, and there’s no middle ground. Can love, especially the kind that touches hearts at Christmas, overcome her fears and his quest for greatness?

With the help of a very special wedding dress, there just might a Christmas miracle.

The More the Merrier by Merrier: An Amish Christmas Romance by Linda Byler

Book Description

From beloved Amish writer Linda Byler, comes a heartwarming Christmas romance set during the Great Depression.

It’s 1931, and times are tough for the Miller family, who are raising eight children in the midst of the Great Depression. When Eli Miller passes away unexpectedly, and then a fire destroys their barn, Annie has no idea how she’ll make ends meet. The Amish community rallies around her and the children, as is their custom, but as days turn into weeks and then into months, Annie’s friends and neighbors return to their own routines and seem to expect Annie to do the same. Annie knows she needs to stay strong for the children and figure out a way to keep everyone warm and clothed and fed, but she is heartbroken and exhausted. She reminds herself that God will provide, but every day feels like an uphill battle.

When Annie receives a letter from a widower with six children of his own, she tries to put it out of her mind. Her critical mother reminds her that it's too soon to start a new friendship with a man, and warns her that blending a family will be complicated. In the weeks and months to follow, Annie must learn to make her own decisions—and accept the consequences, good and bad—face her past, and embark on a new journey that will transform her and her large, complicated family. When life seems especially complicated one summer, she finds herself saying that by Christmas everything will start to come together, but she has no idea the challenges—and ultimately blessings—headed her way.

My thoughts:

Set during the Great Depression this is the heartbreaking story of Annie Miller and her 8 children who are trying to survive on their meager food supply which isn't an unusual storyline for that time in history but this story really made me sad.  Maybe it was reading it before Christmas that made me feel for the widow and her daily struggles to provide enough food for her family.

Then she meets widower Eli who is raising 6 children of his own and who thinks it would be a good idea to blend their families.  They have their work cut out for them after they marry and all live together. Of course there are some cute, sweet moments but there are bouts of jealousy, misunderstandings  but with love, patience and a lot of prayer, they can  be come the family they have needed.

What starts out to be heartbreaking ended up to be very heartwarming.  I enjoyed this quick read.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.