Happy New Year! A New Challenge...

This year, I created my own reading challenge, and I was able to complete everything on it!  I enjoyed it so much, I plan on doing it again for 2016.  I made goal to read 5 new authors, a book I loved but haven't read in years, a book recommended by each of my kids, a nonfiction book, one that is set in my state, and a classic.

The first goal was 5 book by new authors.  I think it's important to get out of my comfort zone once in a while and give these new authors a chance.  Whether they are popular or more obscure, I look forward to finding 5 new ones in 2016!
1. A Cry from the Dust - Carrie Stuart Parks
2. Through the Fire - Shawn Grady
3. Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs
4. Dangerous Passage - Lisa Harris
5. Not by Sight - Kate Breslin

The second goal was a book I loved but haven't read in years.  I really enjoyed dusting this hardback off and reading through it again.  If I hadn't purposely set aside my TBR pile, I don't know when I would have gotten around to it again.
Carousel - Linda Crockett

My third goal was to read books recommended by my kids.  They really got a kick out of having Mom read one of their books, and it gave us something to talk about.  I was especially happy to do this one!
The White Giraffe - Lauren St. John
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda - Tom Angleberger

Next was a nonfiction book.  This one I didn't look forward to, but I made it through.  I have problems making it through nonfiction books, I don't enjoy them, but I learned that finding the right book can make a huge difference.
The Pursuit of God - A.W. Tozer

My fifth goal was to read a book that takes place in my state.  This one is a little tricky and takes some research, but it ended up being a neat little experiment.
The Inn at Rose Harbor - Debbie Macomber

My final goal was to read a classic.  Sometimes the wording in those is a little difficult to get through, so it was a struggle.  For next year, I plan on choosing something a little shorter AND purposely not choosing a book I've seen a movie for.  Normally, my rule is to do one or the other, read the book or watch the movie, but I broke that rule this past year. I figured some things out, but I'll do it a little different next year.
Little Dorrit - Charles Dickens

I recommend everyone have some sort of challenge this upcoming year.  I've discovered that reading challenges can be great, just make sure to structure it in such a way that it's achievable.  Maybe have one or two things in there that will take you out of your comfort zone, but don't make all the reading goals impossible.  I learned that applies to life goals in general.  Challenge yourself, but don't overwhelm yourself.

May you all have a blessed and Happy New Year!  Happy Reading in 2016!

With This Ring? - Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Mary Connealy & Melissa Jagears

My disclaimer: A lot of times, these novella collections will tie in the characters with a series the author has already written.  I tried to make the connections where I could, but if I miss one, I apologize in advance.

The Husband Maneuver by Karen Witemeyer

Marietta is in love with Daniel, has been for years now.  He’s under an oath not to do anything resembling courting as long as he works for her father.  Now that he has his own spread, her time is running out to convince him she’d make him the perfect wife.

Fans of A Worthy Pursuit will be happy to know that Dead-Eye Dan is back.  If you haven’t read A Worthy Pursuit, you won’t be lost, though.  Dan’s character was one that I loved when reading the novel, so I was happy to read his story.  In this novella, you’re actually getting two stories in one.  You’re reading about Dead-Eye Dan, dime novel style, and Dan the real person.  I’m pretty critical of novellas, since there’s so little time to tell a good story, but Witemeyer pulls it off brilliantly.  She not only creates depth in her loveable characters, she basically tells two complete stories.  Great job! 5 stars

Her Dearly Unintended by Regina Jennings

Katie Ellen is watching over her home while her parents are away.  A storm washes out the bridge and she’s trapped with the one person she doesn’t want to see: Josiah.  She was rejected by him and wants to send him on his way, but a stranger causes the plans to change.  Josiah is now posing as her husband until they can figure out what the stranger is after.

I wasn’t fond of the first part of this one.  Katie Ellen fights openly with Josiah in front of the stranger while they’re posing as a married couple.  Since they’re unaware of the man’s intentions or if he’s dangerous, it would have made more sense for her to be a little more cautious, at least at first.  Once the bickering stopped, the story took off and ended up being a pretty cute story.  This is a story teaching that things aren’t always as they seem.  4 stars

Runaway Bride by Mary Connealy

Carrie is on the run from the man her father is marrying her off to as resolution of a gambling debt.  She’s bringing her brother with her, and the first thing they do is run into Big John Conroy.  He’s been sent by Carrie’s sister, Audra, to bring her safely to Colorado.  Being a Texas Ranger, he knows what to do, and he’s going to need his skills to keep Carrie away from the man who will surely track her down.  When they’re spotted by one of the man’s hired men, their destination changes as John seeks help from old friends.

This was a cute story, but there are oodles of characters.  They appear to have ties to part of the Trouble in Texas and Kincaid Brides series.  I haven’t personally read either of those, so trying to keep track of all the characters was a challenge.  There were almost too many for such a short story.  John’s change of heart with the marriage idea threw me for a loop, and I wished there had been some sort of explanation of what changed his mind.  Overall, a decent read, 3.5 stars

Engaging the Competition by Melissa Jagears

Harrison has been asked to talk to an old friend about her upcoming marriage.  He’s been avoiding Charlotte (Charlie) ever since she humiliated him with his own gun.  But since her father has died, he feels a responsibility to make sure she knows what she’s doing.  A storm leaves Harrison without his glasses and it’s going to take some time to get new ones.  Charlie feels like she needs to help him, since he tried to help her during the storm and agrees to assist him in his teaching job.  As they work together, they come to discover that their feelings for each other are the same, but Charlie has her mother to think about, so marrying Harrison doesn’t seem like an option.

This story was really cute and I enjoyed it.  I sympathized with Harrison a great deal, because I would probably be as helpless without my glasses as he was.  Charlie was a lovable character with her dedication to her mother.  When she was able to see herself through Harrison’s eyes, she came to realize her own worth and the story had a great ending. 5 stars

Overall, this was a good collection of four stories with unusual proposals.  I did enjoy a few more than the others, but I didn’t have one that I didn’t like at all.  I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to any hopeless romantics out there!  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Undaunted Hope (Beacons of Hope #3) - Jody Hedlund

This is the third novel in the Beacons of Hope series.  There’s a prequel novella, Out of the Storm, and then you have the first two books, Love Unexpected and Hearts Made Whole.

Tessa is in the northern wilderness of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to escape her tarnished reputation.  While she made some mistakes, she never compromised herself, but the gossip was too much.  She’s come to the mining town to be the new teacher and quickly discovers that things are different in this out of the way place.

Alex is in the right place to save Tessa from some unwanted advances and frigid water.  He is drawn to her, but unfortunately, so is his brother.  Since it’s the first sign of life he’s seen from his brother since his wife died, Alex wants to protect his brother and do what’s best for him.  The problem is, the time he spends with Tessa leads him to believe he can’t ignore his heart.  Also, she’s determined to stay away from anything related to lighthouses, so the fact that he works in one is an issue.

There’s a lot of problems in town.  The mine manager has everyone in town under his thumb and punishes those that oppose him.  The man seems to know everything that happens in town and Tessa wants to stand up to him but finds herself just as trapped as the rest of the town.  The man doesn’t come after Tessa, he goes after the ones she cares about, with disastrous results.

This book is a little darker than I expected, but with good reason.  I wondered about that until I read the author’s note at the end where it all became clear.  Tessa’s transformation and desire to see justice done was really an intriguing read.  I really enjoyed this book and read it in two days.  I didn’t mean to, but I just couldn’t put it down!

You get hints of the characters from the other books, but you can read these alone or out of order.  The wooden cross is still on its journey, and I recommend reading the novella if you haven’t already.  This has been a great series and I recommend it.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

25 Days, 26 Ways to Make This Your Best Christmas Ever - Ace Collins

I actually got this for free 5 years ago and brushed it off this year to read it as my daily devotional for Advent.  It seems a little strange to post after Christmas on a Christmas book, but I wanted to make sure I finished it before I wrote my review.

The book starts out with a great suggestion: read a chapter in Luke every day.  There's 24 chapters and you read through the life of Jesus.  Great idea!  Then, each chapter in this book has something different to focus on, encouraging you to recenter your thoughts on the true meaning of the season.

You get to read about the origins of loved Christmas carols and traditions.  Learning about "Silent Night" and "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" gave me a deeper understanding of the songs.  I have to say I learned the most about "12 Days of Christmas," because I read about it a day after I'd commented that I didn't understand why someone who really loved you would give you so many birds!  Now, the song helps me remember what it means and focuses my thoughts on Jesus.

There's also stories about the origins of traditions: candy canes, Christmas trees, and sending cards are some of the stories included.  I thought these were also interesting and shared them with my children.

I have to say that I did pretty well keeping up with this until Christmas Day. Up until I started reading this book, all the Advent activities in our family go up until Christmas Eve, so the entry for Christmas Day and the day after, Boxing Day, I had to catch up on.  I was disappointed to read that for Christmas, he suggested baking a birthday cake for Jesus.  I don't know about Collins' house, but I don't just have the ingredients to whip up a cake on the fly like that.  I liked the idea, but if I'd known about it earlier, I might have actually been able to do it.  Hopefully I'll remember for next year.

Even if I didn't agree with every suggestion, they are just that - suggestions.  For instance, he suggests everyone opening gifts one at a time and taking pictures of everything.  For us, we gather up everything after it's been opened and take a picture then.  I found that if I make the kids pose after or during each present, it disrupts their fun and I'm more worried about getting a good picture than being part of the moment.  It's a personal preference, but I can also see where the author was going with the suggestion and appreciate it.

Overall, this was a good  book and I was glad I read it.  It's a great way to have a few minutes focused on Jesus each day, and you get to learn something along the way! Good Book!

The First Christmas Tree: A Story of the Forest - Henry Van Dyke

After enjoying Van Dyke's story of The Other Wise Man, I wanted to read his other famous short story, The First Christmas Tree.

Winfried is on a mission to bring the message of the Messiah to the worshipers of Thor. They're meeting at the sacred tree to offer sacrifices to their god.  When a boy is chosen as a sacrifice, Winfried has his chance to speak and be heard.

This one took me about half an hour to read and was a nice little story.  The descriptions were well done and the story engaging.  A great tale to read at Christmastime.  This was written so long ago that it is available for free.  Good Story!

The Other Wise Man - Henry Van Dyke

I picked this up because it was mentioned in the Christmas devotional I'm reading.  I'd never heard of it, but I became interested in the description.  It seems like it's a popular story, so I'm not sure why I'd never read it or heard of it before.

Artaban is a Magi and has decided to meet up with the "known" wise men who are journeying to find the King of the Jews.  Artaban sets out with three precious stones for the King, but gets delayed and the wise men leave without him.  By the time he makes it to Bethlehem, things have changed and the King is gone.

Artaban doesn't give up and spends the next 33 years searching for the King.  His journey ends in Jerusalem with poetic results.

This short story is one of the best I think I've ever read.  The descriptions were so realistic I felt like I could see Artaban and what he was experiencing.  When I reached the end, my eyes were welling up with tears as I understood his journey at the same time he did.  The story was so good, I only wish I had learned about it earlier.

The author's writing style got me curious about more of his work.  It seems that he's most famous for this story and another one called The First Christmas Tree.  He also was responsible for writing "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee."  The stories were written so long ago that they are available for free. I plan on reading The First Christmas Tree this week as well.

I highly recommend this story.  It's a great story for this Christmas season and short enough you won't be overwhelmed by its length.  Great Story!

Sofia's Tune (Ellis Island #3) - Cindy Thomson

This is the third book in the Ellis Island series.  The first two are called Grace's Pictures and Annie's Stories.

Sofia's home life is a mess.  Her mother is prone to low spirits every fall, and this year Sofia discovers why.  She once had a twin sister and now she wants to know why the family has kept it a secret from her.  Unfortunately, the revelation sinks Sofia's mother into such a state that Sofia is forced to move out of the house.  She ends up at Hawkins House.  Wanting to go home, she does everything she can to help her family out and bring her mother back.

Antonio wants to play real music for appreciative crowds.  He plays the piano to pay the bills, but he wants to go to Ohio and study to be proficient at the organ.  His father has been murdered and his uncle is acting mysteriously.  Antonio wants to discover what happened to his father, but that's going to involve frequenting the part of town where he won't necessarily be welcome, seeing as his family is from the opposite part of Italy.  He meets Sofia at Hawkins House and he sees an opportunity to get into that part of town.

I did like this book.  The story line was interesting and kept my attention.  The author has obviously done her homework on the era and it shows.  The dog was a great addition, and I liked the twist with the accordion.  The only thing that bothered me was that I wish there had been more in depth interactions between Antonio and Sofia so that I was more invested in their happiness at the end.

As they're written, you can read these alone or out of order.  The characters from the first two books pop in here and there, but you won't feel lost if you haven't read the other two. Good Book!

The Proposal - Becky Wade (Short Story)

This is a cute, short story.  It took me about 20 minutes to read and the title pretty much sums up the story.  Amber is on her way to drop off her boyfriend's phone at the firehouse when her car breaks down, and she has time to reflect on their relationship.  When she makes it to the fire station, strange things happen.  Since it is so short, there isn't time to develop characters.  Basically look at this as a cheery glimpse into someone else's important life moment and you'll be fine.

The novella is a tie in to the Porter Family series.  The first book in that series is called Undeniably Yours and centers around Meg, Amber's best friend.  The other three books in the series are Meant to Be, A Love Like Ours, and Her One and Only.  The fourth book is scheduled to come out May 2016.

All in all, this was a cute story I was able to read for free.  It was so short, I don't think I would have paid for it, but it's a nice read for Christmas time.  Cute story!

The Painter's Daughter - Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen is a great author.  I was thrilled to be able to read this book.

Sophie is forlorn.  The man she loves, Wesley, has left her to go to Italy before she was able to tell him that she was carrying his child.  She’d hoped he would marry her, but what will she do now?  His brother offers to marry her to give her child a name, and it seems like the only solution.  Since she’s only heard bad things about Wesley’s brother, she’s wary but doesn’t have many options.

Stephen is cleaning up his brother’s mess again.  He’s secretly been carrying around Sophie’s picture, but he can tell she’s frightened of him and figures he’ll never have a real chance with her.  He’s still going to be the best husband and father he can be.  He thinks his time is short anyway, so he only has to hang in there for a few days and try to protect his heart.

Their “short time” together turns out to be longer than they first imagined, and they begin to grow closer.  Sophie realizes that Stephen isn’t the monster she’s heard him to be and truly comes to care for him.  In the meantime, Wesley has regretted leaving Sophie with such an inadequate goodbye and wants her to know he actually cares about her.

This book is a mess from beginning to end, and I mean that in a good way.  There are so many problems and complications, I feared things would never be resolved in a favorable way.  I had nothing to fear, though, the author had the situation in hand!  I ate this book up and finished it in two days.  There are nods to great authors like Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen, and fans will pick up on the details easily.  I really enjoyed this one and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Until the Dawn - Elizabeth Camden

I always look forward to reading a book by Elizabeth Camden and was excited for the chance to read this one.  There’s a novella that’s a prequel to this book called Toward the Sunrise.  It’s not necessary to read it before diving into this book, but the novella is also a great story and worth reading.

Sophie has been living at Dierenpark for her whole life.  Now that the owner has arrived (with his bad attitude), not only is her weather station in danger, but it appears the house is set to be demolished as well.  Sophie just can’t let that happen.

Quentin’s been living with pain for 8 years.  A broken leg has set him on the path of failed experimental treatments.  He’s come to Dierenpark out of loyalty to his grandfather, who is ordering the park demolished because of superstitious beliefs.  Even though Quentin put his faith in science, he feels he owes his grandfather.

Sophie irritates him with her happy outlook.  He just wants to be left alone to get the job done, but she opens his eyes to the beauty of the area with her optimism.  She also shows him the beauty in life, and he realizes something is missing in his own.  When Quentin’s grandfather shows up, Quentin isn’t ready to hear the man’s superstitious beliefs or see them passed on to his son.

The mystery of the history of the house is a wonderful theme in this book.  It’s present all the way to the end, and things don’t go as you think they will, which is a good thing.  The story is also a little reminiscent of Jane Eyre.  The imposing manor on the cliffs, the brooding master, and the neglected child that benefits from the presence of a willing teacher are all familiar, but it’s also quite different at the same time.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Daughter of Highland Hall (Edwardian Brides #2) - Carrie Turansky

This is the second book in this series.  The first book is called The Governess of Highland Hall.

Kate is in London for her first season.  Her aunt is determined to have it be a success, no matter what Kate has in mind for her life.  When a scandal threatens the family's standing, Kate gets to experience what it's like in the poorer parts of town and her priorities begin to shift.  She also begins to see the advantage of valuing substance of character over social standing.

Jon is in London to complete his medical training and continue his father's work in India. He also is changed by what he sees in the poorer parts of town and feels that God may be leading him toward work there.  But his family expects him to return to India, and he doesn't want to disappoint his father.  The more he works with those who need it most, he gains confidence that he should be there.  The problem is, Kate is used to a comfortable life.  She's out of his league anyway, but he can't help hoping.

It seems like everyone around these two recognize their feelings before they themselves are ready to admit it.  They both feel that the relationship would be doomed from the start, but they gain confidence when they are together and their feelings grow.  One scandal after another throw a wrench in the works, but they work it out eventually.

William and Julia (book #1) are busy preparing for their wedding and we read a lot from their points of view.  You're not lost if you haven't read the first book, there's enough little hints in there, but it's a bonus for those who have read it.

The third book is called A Refuge at Highland Hall and is the story of Kate's sister, Penny. She shows up here and there in this book, and I look forward to reading it.  Good Book!

Allie's Journey FREE today through Sunday!

The Kindle version of my young adult book, Allie's Journey, is up for free today through Sunday!  I am thankful that God has allowed me to publish this book and follow my dream.

Have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving!

At Love's Bidding (Ozark Mountain Romance #2) - Regina Jennings

This is the second book in the Ozark Mountain Romance series.  The first book was A Most Inconvenient Marriage.

Miranda works at her family’s auction house.  When a wealthy family’s painting is accidentally sold, she feels responsible and decides to accompany her grandfather to Missouri to get it back and save the reputation of their auction house.  Her arrival in a place that’s much different than Boston has her second-guessing that decision.  Shortly after they arrive, their luggage is stolen by a ruffian who beats up the man who was helping them.

Miranda's first impression of Wyatt is that of the ruffian.  He’s really giving his brother a lashing for taking his wagon, but Miranda doesn’t look at him the same at first.  When Wyatt finds out that Miranda and her grandfather are the new owners of the “auction house” he’s been hoping to take over, he plans on waiting them out until they head back to Boston.  Unfortunately, Miranda’s grandfather wants to change too many things, including Wyatt.  Add in the old man’s changes in personality and Wyatt’s got trouble.

These two both are on journeys to discover who they really are and what they’re capable of.  The circumstances of Wyatt’s birth finds him always trying to prove himself.  Miranda’s always been told what to do and basically goes with it.  With her grandfather’s problems, she’s going to have to assert herself more.  She’s hiding the real reason they’re in Pine Gap from Wyatt, but she wants to trust him.  He seems to be the first person who believes in her.

This was a great book.  I loved both Wyatt and Miranda and how they not only were able to discover more about themselves, but were able to stay true to themselves at the same time.  They learned from each other and were able to discover that they’re stronger together.  Of course there’s lots of obstacles and misunderstandings to get through, but the story is great and the added humor had me chuckling a few times.

While this book is the second in the series, it can be read alone.  There’s some moments in there where you see a character from the first book, but this one stands alone.  I’m hoping that there’s another book in this series and we can read more about Betsy.  The epilogue makes me think there’s more of her to come, and I can’t wait!  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sharpshooter in Petticoats (Sophie's Daughters #3) - Mary Connealy

This is the third book in this series.  The first two are called Doctor in Petticoats and Wrangler in Petticoats.  The series follows three sisters, and they are the daughters of Clay and Sophie McClellan.  This author has written out their story in Petticoat Ranch, part of the Lassoed in Texas series.

Mandy has been hiding up in her mansion on the mountain to try and prevent herself from getting killed.  The Cooter clan is out for blood and won't rest until her entire family is dead. Her husband has already been killed and now her life as well as those of her children are at stake.  She's earned a reputation for being a witch, and people that try to get to her seems to just disappear.

Tom has had enough.  Now that Mandy's worthless husband is dead, he's getting her off that mountain one way or the other.  He's loved her for years, and now she's free to be with him if she would just leave that mountain.  To do that, he's going to risk life and limb to sneak up on her and get her to follow him.  He uses her children to do that, but she doesn't really fight him very hard.

There's still the issue of the back-shooting Cooters, and there seems to be a never ending stream of them.  Mandy has tried to keep everyone away, she doesn't want the deaths of people she loves on her hands, but she finally breaks down and asks for help.  The call is answered, and they prepare for a showdown.

This was a pretty good book, but I'm not certain it's my favorite of the series.  The end didn't go quite the way I thought it would, and that was good.  I truly believe that if you plan on reading this book, the experience will be better if you've read the other two.  Not only is Mandy's story told in those two, but this particular book brings us up to date on her other sisters, Beth and Sally.  In the end, I give it a Good Book! review.

The Golden Braid - Melanie Dickerson

(This book doesn't come out until tomorrow, but I won't have a chance to post it since I'll be out of town this week.  As a result, I am posting this a day early.)

Melanie Dickerson is a great author.  I love her versions of old fairy tales and her unique twists that make the stories come to life.  This is the story of Rapunzel.

Rapunzel has been moved around her entire life.  She has learned things here and there, but what she really wants is to learn to read and write.  Her mother is too busy teaching her not to trust anyone, especially men, to grant her wish.  When they are attacked on the road to Hagenheim, a brave knight saves their lives but is injured in the process.  While her mother is barely civil, Rapunzel begins to trust this man and wonder if her mother has been telling her the truth.

With a broken arm and leg, Gerek is laying in a monastery waiting impatiently to heal.  When one of the monks suggests he teach Rapunzel how to read, Gerek is reluctant, but he has nothing better to do.  The more time he spends with this young peasant girl, the more he enjoys himself.  With the lofty goals he has for his life, he tries to ignore what he’s feeling for Rapunzel and tell himself that he plans on being practical in his choice of a wife.  Circumstances force him to confront his feelings and acknowledge what’s going on.

I love the way this author puts her unique spin on fairy tales while keeping it recognizable and interesting at the same time.  These books might be listed as young adult, but they are great for adults as well.  Who doesn’t love a fairy tale with that happy ending?

This book has ties to the original fairy tales that Dickerson has written.  My post on The Princess Spy breaks down how those novels relate to each other.  You’re reading about Hagenheim, and the family members that have been written about before.  The clash between the Gerstenberg family and Lord Claybrook that occurs during The Princess Spy overlaps with this tale.

*I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wrangler in Petticoats (Sophie's Daughters #2) - Mary Connealy

This is the second book in this series.  The first one is called Doctor in Petticoats.  The third is called Sharpshooter in Petticoats.

Sally is on her way to help out her sister, Mandy.  On the way, their party is ambushed and almost everyone killed.  A buckle saves Sally from a gut shot, but not a fall off a cliff. When she hits the bottom, she's unconscious but alive.

Logan saw Sally fall and is happy she isn't dead.  He figures out what happened on top of that cliff and knows he has to move her, even though her injuries are serious.  On their way back to his cabin, they see that the men that ambushed Sally had done it before. That first part of the story is pretty gruesome.

Logan is a painter, and an obsessed one at that.  Sally doesn't understand that, she thinks any man who doesn't hunt and take care of himself to be a no-account weakling. And although she is grateful Logan has helped her, she wants nothing more than to be out of there.  She knows her friends will be looking for her, but she also realizes that the ones that attacked her are out there as well and out for revenge.

At first, Sally may not understand Logan, but she comes to admire that he follows his heart.  Because, after all, she does the same.  She wears chaps, rides and shoots better than almost anyone and she's proud of it.  Others try to get her to be a little more womanly, but not Logan.  He seems to accept her as she is.  The problem is he's consumed by his art and knows he would only make her unhappy.

Add in to this, we're reading about Mandy.  We read about her in the first book, and her story continues here.  It's three years later and her life's a mess.  She lives for her children, but her husband is as useless as he came across in the first book.  Her story is the continuous thread through these three books.

This was a cute story, watching how these two unlikely people come to care so much about each other.  As to reading these out of order, I'm going to have to say that if you plan on reading Sharpshooter in Petticoats (#3), then I would read the other two first. You get to follow Mandy's development in these first two.  The characters from the first book are mentioned in this book, but never seen, so that one's okay on its own.  This one continues to make you care about Mandy and Tom, so I think you'll get more satisfaction out of reading her whole story if you read all three.  Good Book!

The Tyndale Code (Armour of God #1) - Daniel Patterson

It's been a while since I've been able to post anything.  First off, I had a pile of 6 NetGalley books (which I'm still reading), then I caught this NASTY cold and have been fighting that off for a week.  I decided I needed to read something on the short side as a break from the full-length books and saw this one pop up as recommended.  It's a Kindle Unlimited book, so I read it for free.

Zack is in the business of retrieving biblical artifacts, an "Indiana Jones" if you will.  His current mission has taken him to Guatemala to retrieve a rare Tyndale Bible that's said to be in the hands of the police, who are corrupt.  He's meant to meet up with a priest, but when Zack finds him dead, he has to choose whether to leave the country or continue pursuing the Bible.  It'll be dangerous, but with a little help, he takes on the mission.

This book is on the shorter side, at about 200 pages.  It appears the second book in the series, The Codex, is also around 200 pages, so that's something to keep in mind.  They seem like a cross between a book and a novella.

I enjoyed the story on this one.  The mystery of the code on the title page of the Tyndale Bible was an interesting twist, although I ended up being a little confused at times when codes and ciphers were referenced.  Zack is a likable character, and I look forward to reading more of him.  You get a complete story with this, you're not left with any cliffhangers.  The Codex is part of Kindle Unlimited as well, so I plan on reading it next month.  Good book/novella!

Toward the Sunrise (An Until the Dawn novella) - Elizabeth Camden

Elizabeth Camden is one of my favorite authors.  I always look forward to her books, and before I read Until the Dawn, I wanted to read this novella.

Julia has been expelled from medical school.  She was just doing the humane thing by saving a dog from an owner who made it fight, but she's been impulsive, and using the medical surgery on an animal has gotten her in the doghouse.  

Ashton is the lawyer in charge of seeing her dream come true.  His employer doesn't have an interest in the estate Julia's family works on, but he's vowed to see her dreams come true and Ashton is in charge of seeing that happen.  He has as much love for the east as she does, but his tie to his father is too strong so he knows they could never be together.

This was a cute story and the main heroine of Until the Dawn is in there, Sophie.  There's enough mystery surrounding the mansion that you want to read more.  Mystery also surrounds Sophie and what she's up to, so you're anxiously waiting to read more about her.  This IS a stand alone story, and a great lead-in to the novel.  I heartily recommend this novella if you're at all interested in the book.  About 66% of this title is the novella, with a teaser for the novel at the end.  Good Novella!

Doctor in Petticoats (Sophie's Daughters #1) - Mary Connealy

This is the first book in a three book series.  The other two books are called Wrangler in Petticoats and Sharpshooter in Petticoats.

Beth is determined to make it to her sister's wedding.  She's had a long trip and it isn't made any better by the drunk man she's riding with.  A tragic carriage accident has her using her skills, but she needs help.  She finds out the drunk isn't actually drunk at all, just crazy.  A slip of the tongue alerts her to the fact that he's a doctor and she violently pushes him to action.

Alex thought he left doctoring behind when he deserted from the army.  A particularly violent battle forced him to leave the battlefield and his sanity behind.  That all changes when he looks into Beth's eyes.  He seems to be able to draw strength from her, and he clings to her for that strength.

When they finally get to town, Alex continues to hold on to Beth, but she needs him too if she wants to practice medicine.  Then, Alex's past catches up with them and he has to make a choice.

I liked this book.  We read from the perspective of Alex, Beth, the bounty hunter and Beth's sister, Mandy.  We get to read a great deal about what happens to Mandy after she marries, so I thought the next book would follow her.  I was a little surprised when I saw Mandy wasn't the heroine until the third book.  The second book is about Beth's other sister, Sally.

I'm not sure about reading these out of order yet.  I have the whole series and will hold my opinion on that subject until I read the next one.  This was a pretty good book and I'll be diving into the next one soon.  Good Book!

All is Calm, All is Bright (2 novellas) - Colleen Coble

All is Calm originally came out November 2014, but is now being released with another novella called All is Bright, which appears to be a new novella.  These are Christmas themed and just the right length for the busy Christmas season.

All is Calm is a Lonestar novella, set in Texas at the Bluebird Ranch.  Lauren has been under suspicion for a murder and has run away with the horse that was going to be put down.  She’s run to the ranch where she was a foster child, hoping for a sense of peace.  Brendan is on medical leave from Special Ops, and is wondering if it’s time to settle down.  While he’s initially wary of Lauren, he believes in her innocence and wants to help her.

This was a nice little story with mentions of Rick and Allie from Lonestar Sanctuary.  The balance of this novella is good.  I’m more critical of novellas, because I think it takes a really talented writer to tell a good, balanced story in that short period of time.  In this case, you’ve got a complete story that’s perfect for a snowy afternoon in front of the fire.

All is Bright is a Hope Beach novella, set in Virginia at Hope Island.  Delilah has spent years taking care of everyone else without letting anyone close enough to get to know her.  Her past isn’t something she’s proud of, and she’s beginning to think she’ll never have a family.  When her life is in danger, the sheriff, Tom, vows to protect her.  He’s had his eye on Delilah for some time, but he feels like she’s out of his league.  He’s been protecting himself for so long, but Delilah needs him.

This novella touches base with characters from the series including Curtis, Amy, Vanessa, Libby, Alec, Marc and Elin.  Delilah is preparing the Tidewater Inn for Marc and Elin’s wedding, so you get to see a lot of them and also Libby, the owner of the inn.

These stories are both well balanced and I highly recommend them.  They’d be a great break from a busy Christmas season, but you’ll be able to enjoy them at any time of year.  You don’t need to be familiar with any of the books that came before (the Lonestar or Hope Beach series), but the check-ins with the characters from those books are an added bonus for those that have read them.  Good Novellas!

*I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Love Everlasting (Brides of Seattle #3) - Tracie Peterson

This is the third book in the Brides of Seattle series.  The first two are called Steadfast Heart and Refining Fire.

In this book, we finally get closure with Abrianna and Wade.  They declared their feelings for each other in the previous book, so I was happy she finally came around.  Unfortunately, that feeling quickly left as Abrianna now questions what she feels and isn't sure marrying Wade is the best idea.

Problems arise when Priam Welby, the town's villain, approaches Abrianna and tells her that he wants Abrianna to be his wife.  She's not keen on the idea, but when he threatens the lives of those she loves, she doesn't feel she has any choice.  She doesn't have anyone to confide in but is determined to handle things on her own.

Personally, Abrianna's personality has been bothering me off and on through this series, and while I was hoping things would get better in this book, her actions and thoughts on her engagement to Wade continued to irritate me.  She did get somewhat better toward the end of the book, but then she irritated me again at the very end.

Overall, the book is well written.  I thought the end a little lengthy, but I suppose it was to wrap things up since it's the last of the series.  Even so, Abrianna is still figuring her way is the best way and everyone else needs to fall in line.  Since Wade is up to putting up with her, they're well matched.  You can read this one without reading the others.  The nefarious deeds of Welby are referenced enough that you won't be lost.  Decent Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fire and Ice (Wild at Heart #3) - Mary Connealy

This is the third book in the Wild at Heart series.  The first book was Tried and True.  The second was Now and Forever.

Bailey is watching both her sisters ride away leaving her alone.  Add to that, Gage has decided to reclaim the canyon she's planned on using and her future looks a little bleak.  With winter just around the corner, she doesn't have many options, but she's determined not to make life easy for Gage or take any favors from him.  He blows the top off a mountain to prove he's going to use that canyon one way or the other.

After a brutal winter, Gage finds himself uncomfortably asking Bailey to marry him.  She thinks he's crazy, and he's not sure she isn't right.  He's told his overprotective mother he's already married, and since she's on the way, he needs a wife.  He blunders through the proposal, but they eventually head to town together.  These two have a lot of issues to work through and Gage's mother doesn't make anything easier.  Add to that, someone is trying to kill Gage and you’ve got yourself a neat story!

I really enjoyed reading through the journey these two went on.  They don't really have time to get used to each other before Gage's mother shows up and attempts made on Gage's life make the story interesting.  Overall, this has been a really cute series and I recommend it.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Lady's Honor (Cliffs of Cornwall #1) - Laurie Alice Eakes

Recently, I was able to read the second book in this series, A Stranger's Secret.  I enjoyed that one, so I was on the lookout for a chance to read this one.

Elizabeth is on the run.  She's decided not to marry a marquess with the shady past.  A man intercepts her, claiming to be a friend of her brother's and helps her get away.  Once she's safely back with her family, Elizabeth discovers that the man is not a friend of her brother's, but her brother had also never even heard of the man.  So who was this man and why did he help her?

Rowan has met Elizabeth briefly a few times before, and she's captured his attention.  His friend has been murdered, and Rowan has promised to look after three women who may be in danger, one of them being Elizabeth.  She's wary of his attention.  He claims to care about her, but Elizabeth loves her position and land too much to give in to her feelings for him.

Elizabeth has never seen what love really looks like.  Everyone wants something from her, her fortune, her position, her obedience without question.  Every instance of love has had conditions, so she doesn't understand anyone being able to love her unconditionally.

This book reminds me of the Gothic romances from the 80s: the foreboding mansion on the cliff side, the handsome man with secrets, the hidden passageways, the mysterious threats to life, smugglers - it's all in there.  Elizabeth is a typical damsel in distress with a bit of a stubborn streak in her.  Overall, a neat story!  Book 2 is about Morwenna, who is a significant character in this book, but after reading both, I still believe that they can be read separately.  I'm not sure if there's supposed to be a third, but I'll be on the lookout for more by this author.  Good Book!

All God's Children (Peacemakers #1) - Anna Schmidt

I've had this one on my Kindle for a while.  This is the first book in the Peacemakers series.  There are two more called Simple Faith and Safe Haven.

Beth is a Quaker trapped in Nazi Germany at her uncle's house.  She's been helping out the family for years, but now it's dangerous and she can't leave.  Her family actually lives in Wisconsin, but she gave her papers to a friend so that her friend could leave the country.  Now that the two countries are at war, Beth's position is very precarious.  And now her uncle has invited a previous student to stay with them, and Beth has to watch her step even more.

Josef's father lives in the area, but tensions are high between the two and Josef prefers to stay with Beth's uncle.  Josef is trying to finish his medical studies, but he ends up getting involved with Beth's schemes.  He finds himself putting his standing, and even his life, on the line.

I wasn't too fond of this one.  I got about 1/3 of the way through and made the tough decision to put it down.  I found that I wasn't interested in what happened to the characters.  Also, when I had time to read, I would think about the book and find something else to do instead.  I can't really put my finger on what it was about this book, but it just wasn't for me.

Love Finds You in Calico, California - Elizabeth Ludwig

I tracked this book because I've read a few books by this author, and I wanted to read more of her work.

Abigail's father has died in a tragic accident while attempting to search for survivors of a fire in the mine.  Now on her own, Abigail has to find a way to support herself.  When rumors start swirling that her father is being blamed for the mine fire, Abigail must find out the truth.  Not only does her father's reputation hang in the balance, but so does her future.

Nathan feels somewhat responsible for the death of Abigail's father and is determined to do what he can for her.  He also has to run his livery and take care of his daughter, but he wishes to help her.  When she's attacked and then gets kicked out of her home, it seems like there's only one solution.

I enjoyed this nice, light read.  The characters are likable, and the writing flows well.  If you're in the mood for a western romance with a happy ending, this book could be for you!  Good Book!

The 13th Tribe (An Immortal Files Novel) - Robert Liparulo

This book has been on my Kindle for quite some time.  I've read some of this author's books in the past and have been impressed by his writing style and attention to detail.  It ended up sitting so long because I knew it was on the longer side and it was going to be one of those books that would be hard to put down.

The Tribe has been alive for 3500 years.  Since Moses brought the 10 Commandments off the mountain.  They were the ones who drank the blood and worshiped the golden calf. Ever since, they have been seeking redemption.  They are "God's fists," ridding the world of sinners that elude man's justice.  Their vigilante justice mentality has them killing many people, but they feel they haven't killed enough.  Their belief is when they have killed enough, God will take them home.  In the meantime, the only way they can be killed is by beheading.  I know the first thing many people will think is Highlander, and the author knew that.  Yes, there's a joke in there about it.

Their current mission involves something big.  They haven't attempted something this big for 100 years and feel it's time.  One of their members, Creed, doesn't think that violence is the way and tries to stop them.  Fleeing the others, he makes his way to a safe house at Mt. Sinai.  Working there is Jagger, a broken man trying to find his way, and his family. When his son is shot, Jagger gets sucked into the world of the Tribe and knows he has to stop them.

This was a good book with lots of twists and turns.  The action kept the pace of the book going, but there are over 100 chapters, so there's a lot of stopping points if you can bring yourself to put the book down.

The second book in the series is called The Judgment Stone.  I saw that Jagger was still in it, so I believe you should read this one first, because what you learn about Jagger's life later on in the book is likely relevant in the next book.  I plan on watching to see if it drops in price and I'll update that prediction accordingly.  I just have a feeling these need to be read in order.  Good Book!

She's Almost a Teenager - Peter & Heather Larson, David & Claudia Arp

My girls are 11 and 12 (almost 13).  It's a scary time, hoping that I'm doing my best and KNOWING these are important days in their lives.  They're both in middle school now, and I worry about them.  When I saw the description for this book, I was interested to see what I could learn.  I'm always on the lookout for ways to be a better parent!

This book breaks important matters down into "conversations."  Topics include friends, body image, boys, academics, money, faith & tech.  Each of these is broken down and explored with the intention of having a specific conversation about this particular topic.  At the end of each chapter is questions the parent goes through with their daughter.

Overall, this was a pretty decent book.  I didn't really learn anything new, so if you've done much research on your own, you might not get much out of it.  A lot of it is common sense.  I found it annoying that the authors switch back and forth talking all the time and make sure I know it.  Every time I saw "I (Heather)" or whoever, I got irritated.

There's a lot of advice out there and the best thing you can do is determine what is best for your child based on who they are and what works.  I have two daughters with different personalities and I love them both dearly.  The book that I've found the most helpful for us was "Everybody Tells Me to Be Myself but I Don't Know Who I Am."  It was more like a workbook, but it's easy to do a quick section and I found out a lot about my girls. 

If you're looking for a book that has a lot of general advice and aren't afraid of a lot of work, this book might work for you.  They warn you that there isn't any specific outline to follow, you're meant to take the questions, think through them as they apply to your child and adapt the conversation.  If this sounds like a challenge you're up for, go for it!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Allie's Journey - Free now through Monday!

In an effort to spread the word a bit about my book, Allie's Journey, the Kindle version will be up for free today through Monday.  If you're interested, I encourage you to get it while it's free.  You can pick it up at Amazon or just click the picture on the right hand of the screen under "Author of" to take you directly to it.  Happy Thursday!

The Pursuit of God: Updated Edition - A.W. Tozer

This is my nonfiction title that finishes up my 2015 challenge.  Anyone who knows me knows how much I prefer fiction over nonfiction.  For instance, I think I started 3 different nonfiction books before I stumbled on this one and was able to make it all the way through.  Not only that, but it's only 128 pages.  A definite plus for me!  And since my classic was over 500 pages, I didn't feel like I was cheating.

Being the librarian at my church, there are certain authors that appear on the shelves numerous times.  This is one of those authors.  The Pursuit of God is a challenge to stop floating on the surface of the waters and dive deep into relationship with God.  Abandon the surface religion and actively pursue God without ceasing.  Just because we've found God doesn't mean we should stop seeking him.

Even though this book was originally written in 1948, the logic and reasoning behind the author's points are just as relevant if not more so.  At the end of each chapter is a prayer that reflects the chapter's topic.  There's a lot of thee and thou in those, so you might have to slow down to understand them, but this is a great book for those who find themselves in more of a surface than substance relationship with God.

As with many other classics, this one has oodles of editions.  I chose this particular one because it was free.  It was just published in June, but it's free at the moment.  There's also a public domain version that's free.  It's short and sweet and definitely worth reading. I read a chapter a day, so it took me about 10 days to get through it.  You have nothing to lose by giving it a chance, and you just might learn something.

"Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth."

Good Book!

Through Waters Deep (Waves of Freedom #1) - Sarah Sundin

Hands down, one of my favorite authors!  This is the first book in the Waves of Freedom series and tells the story of Jim and Mary.

It's 1941, mere months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and America's official entry into the second World War.  Jim is in the Navy, and with two ambitious brothers, he's floated along most of his life, just going with the flow.  He meets up with Mary, a girl he knew in high school and they strike up a friendship.  Initially, he's not interested in a relationship, he's shipping out soon, but he comes to care about her.  Instead of declaring his feelings, he tries to be "suave," which only serves to confuse the situation.

Mary just wants to fade into the background.  With her history, she believes pride to be avoided above all else, even if that means avoiding things she believes she was meant to do.  Jim challenges her beliefs on that score, and she finds the courage to conquer some of her long-held fears and use the talents God gave her.

There's whispers of sabotage at the boat yard Mary works at, and when a bomb is found on Jim's vessel, they end up working together to try and figure out who had a motive and why.  Complications arise both with their relationship and also with the dangers at sea.  As you read this and time gets closer to that fateful day in December, you wonder if they'll have time to declare their love.

This was a great start to the series.  As with her other books, Sundin has decided to focus on a particular family, in this case the Avery's, Jim's family.  The next book in the series, Anchor in the Storm, is said to be due out sometime in 2016, with the final book, The Face of the Deep, out the following year.  From what I've seen, the second book is about Arch(er) and Jim's sister, Lillian.  We get to meet Arch in this book, and I was happy that he was the subject of the next one.  It sounds like the third book will be about Jim's brother, Dan, and Mary's friend, Quintessa.  I'll definitely be on the lookout for both.  This particular book is a complete story you can read alone.  I suspect we'll see this characters later on, but you're not investing in a single story by reading this one.  Great Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Finding Mercy (Mercy Medallion Trilogy #2) - Michael Landon, Jr. & Cindy Kelley

This is the second book in the series.  The first one was called Traces of Mercy.  It left me with a major cliffhanger, so I had to read the next one.  I recommend reading the first one before picking this one up, so you won't be lost with what's going on.

Mercy has run away from Elijah and Isaac and is being hunted down by bounty hunters. She's still determined to discover who she really is and doesn't want to put them in danger.  They aren't giving up, though, and end up rescuing her from a dangerous situation.  While at a fort, Mercy sees a portrait that seems familiar, and it gives her a lead that helps her finally discover who she really is.

Finding her family is more confusing than Mercy anticipated.  When she begins to see that she was a much different person before the amnesia, she questions who she really is. Her family is running a plantation with strong feelings about the North, so they decide to keep Elijah's loyalties a secret.  A tragic accident ends up forcing him to stay, and ultimately, revealing his identity to the family.  Once that happens, Mercy, now Charlotte, starts to wonder if she can fit in with her family at all.  With the threat of the bounty hunters still very real, she can't relax and there's other dangers as well.

This was a good book.  The end wrapped up things nicely, which was confusing to me. The series title says it's a trilogy, so I expected another cliffhanger, but it wasn't there. You could read these two and feel perfectly content to stop there.  As of now, I haven't seen anything to suggest a third book, but I'll be keeping an eye out anyway.  Good Book!

Twilight - Kristen Heitzmann

It's been a few years since I've read a book by this author.  Many moons ago, I read Freefall.  I liked it, but it was also a little on the long side for me at the time.  The author had a nice style, so I wanted to try another book by her.  This one was shorter, so I chose it.

Cal is haunted by the demons of the past.  Fighting one fire in particular has changed his life, left him with nightmares and PTSD.  He can't be the firefighter he was meant to be and has been devoting himself to dressing up like a clown and teaching fire safety to children.  His one love, Laurie, is back in town and he wonders what he has to offer her. Just seeing her tears his heart apart, because she seems unwilling to start their relationship back up, but he's not giving up easily.

Laurie has left her husband.  She married him to get the approval of her parents and the posh life she wanted, but the results left her heart hollow and her life in danger.  When bad things start happening, she turns to Cal, and he's willing to risk everything for her while she's unwilling to repeat the past.

This book was great.  The characters are real, flaws and all, and you're really cheering for them to conquer their past and get on with their lives.  They won't be able to do it without God, and that part of the story is woven into the story in such a beautiful way.  I really liked how the book didn't end when the danger left.  It continued on until there was true healing for Cal and Laurie.  Normally, having a lot of pages after the action ends can get tedious, but this book is an exception.  You get so invested in wanting to see these two succeed, you don't feel like there's resolution until they're made whole.

In the end, I was glad I gave this author another chance.  I really enjoyed this one and heartily recommend it.  Good Book!

The Bones Will Speak (Gwen Marcey #2) - Carrie Stuart Parks

This is the second book in the Gwen Marcey series.  The first one, A Cry from the Dust, was a great book and I was happy to have the opportunity to read this one.

When her dog discovers some remains close to her house, Gwen gets wrapped up in something that’s much larger than she thinks.  Finding one of the victims alive, she’s stunned to see the resemblance to her own daughter.  At first, she thinks it must be a coincidence, but the further into the investigation she gets, the more it looks like she’s being specifically targeted.  The question is: why?

Gwen’s personal life is still a mess.  She’s still having hot flashes, problems with her ex, and money issues.  None of these things are going to stop her from protecting her family.  She’s strong, courageous and smart and will do it on her own if she has to.

This is a great book.  Once you get involved in the story, you’re gathering clues with Gwen and trying to figure out what’s important and who’s behind it.  I didn’t have the killer figured out, so I got to be shocked with that one.  I love this author’s writing style and her attention to detail.  The two books I’ve read by her have a great balance between information you need without overdoing it.  There’s plenty of twists and turns in there to keep you guessing.

There’s another book planned for this series and I can’t wait for it to come out.  They can be read out of order.  Great Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In Firefly Valley (Texas Crossroads #2) - Amanda Cabot

This is the second book in the series.  The first book is called At Bluebonnet Lake.

Marisa's lost her job and her money.  Driving a beat-up car, she arrives back in Dupree to take a job at Rainbow's End.  She has a lot of of issues to deal with, but she's intrigued when she meets a handsome man.

Blake has come to see his friend, Greg, get married.  The surprise of the news has Blake scrambling to see what has brought about such a change in his friend.  He's got a bad case of writer's block, and maybe a change of scenery will help.  Since so few people know his true identity, he feels safe.

These two are attracted to each other, but each one has issues to deal with.  Marisa is fighting her past with an alcoholic father, which has colored her views of relationships and looking for perfection.  Blake discovers that Marisa doesn't approve of his books and now is unwilling to reveal his identity.

You're also following the love story of Drew and Lauren.  Drew wasn't the most pleasant character in the first book, but he seems to have had a change of heart.  Lauren's own heart is starting to heal after the loss of her husband, and she notices the change in him. I loved both characters from this part of the story.

This was a pretty good book.  I instantly liked Blake's character, but I didn't like Marisa's character for a while.  She was one of those people who expected perfection from others and ignored her own issues, but reading through her journey of realization changed my mind and I liked her at the end.

The third book in the series, On Lone Star Trail, is set to come out February 2016.  It tells the story of Gillian, a character mentioned in this book, but she never quite makes it to Rainbow's End.  Greg and Kate from the first book are around a lot, we are at their resort, but you're not lost if you haven't read At Bluebonnet Lake making it okay to read these books out of order.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My leap of faith - Allie's Journey

On Monday, I released my first novel called Allie's Journey.  I wrote this book for my girls, ages 11 and 12.  It's 225 pages and tells the story of Allie, a freshman in high school. Here's the book description:

Turas has been waiting for a hero…

Taken from the world she knows, Allie finds herself trapped in a strange land.  Things are not always as they seem, and an evil has swept through the land, causing it and the people living there to suffer.  The only hope of freedom lies in a hero mentioned in the Legend of the Guardian and a pearl bracelet.  Allie fits the general description of the hero, but she’s more interested in getting back to her own world.  After she realizes the legend may be her only hope, she agrees to try but struggles with the quest.  When she finds her life in danger time after time, she wonders if she’s in over her head and if she’ll ever make it home.

This has been a labor of love for me.  I enjoy writing and hope the positive message in the book will help people of all ages conquer the lies we tell ourselves and accept that we're all children of God, precious in His sight.  For me, this is a massive leap of faith.  I'm going to trust God with the outcome of this venture see what happens!

If you're interested in reading it, you can find it here:
Allie's Journey

"I will lift my eyes up to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:1-2 (NASB)