Review: Love Lifted Me

Love lifted me is the third book in A songbird Novel series written by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck. I had the great pleasure of getting to read the second book in this series " softly and tenderly". I enjoyed it very much and am pleased to say I did this one as well. This book picks up right after the other book with Max freshly out of rehab and returning home to his wife Jade and son Asa. Although they were falling apart in the last book over Max's deception from a bachelor party affair with his ex and then hiding his son from Jade. I very much enjoyed getting to see them piecing things back together in this part of the story. Max evolved a lot from the last time we heard of him and the ranch really did amazing things with his new found faith in God. This new found faith proves very useful in the new trials they face in Texas. I loved the surprise event that transformed the whole situation for Jade and Max but you will have to read it to find out what that is. Beautiful story of love, faith, forgiveness and moving on.


***Disclosure a free copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for my honest review through Thomas Nelson Booksneeze reviewers program.

Review : Departures

My review:

Departures was very hard for me to get into. It is made up of two different stories by these authors both obviously directed toward preteens. I often enjoy books meant for younger audiences but this was not one of them. Even though the characters were all high school age I believe the writing and storylines are more befitting a 10 or 11 year old.I had a hard time trying to like the characters and often found most of them quite annoying. The stories also left much to be desired plot wise as well. I felt like there was not really a story being told. I feel so horrible because this is the first bad review I have ever had to publish but I feel I should be honest. I do think that this book could be good if targeted to the appropriate age group though.

**Disclosure a free copy of this book was provided to me by Waterbrookmultnomah blogging for books program in exchange for my honest review.**

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The Encounter by Stephen Arterburn

My review:

From bestselling author and counselor Stephen Arterburn this is the tale of Jonathon Rush, now nicknamed Gold Rush, who is a wealthy and famous businessman. He cannot let go of his hurt and anger from feelings of abandonment from his past that he has felt since childhood. When he was four years old his mother gave him up and left him at a children's home. Now with violence and anger issues that have resulted in three divorces, Jonathon's pastor feels that Jonathon needs to find his birth mother and confront what happened so he can move on and let go of his issues. So he journeys to Fairbanks , Alaska to do just that. While there he follows some leads to a woman who calls herself Mercy ,who says she knows some things about his mother but seems reluctant to let him in on what she knows. Somehow he must find out what Mercy is hiding and learn to accept what happened,forgive his mother and himself. The Encounter is a heartfelt story of one man's journey down a path of pain and anger to the road of acceptance,forgiveness, and healing. This story teaches a lot about the bitterness and darkness of grudges and holding onto the past and even more about the joys and freedom the light of a forgiveness can have on a heart and soul.

 ***Disclosure a free copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for my honest review through Thomas Nelson Booksneeze reviewers program.**

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Review: a wedding invitation by Alice J. Wisler

 Excerpt

My review:

One evening Samantha Bravencourt receives a wedding invitation to her old roommate Avery Jones's wedding in North Carolina. Where her Aunt Dovie just so happens to live. Once there she not only realizes it is not the right Avery Jones but meets a charming man Taylor, who is a P.I. Then in a chance encounter she reunites with Carson Brylie,who was a fellow teacher at a refugee camp in the Phillippines who also just so happened to have broke her heart there and a young girl Lien who was their student who now desperately needs their help. Samantha asks Taylor for his help but will working with Carson wreak havoc on Samantha's heart again? Has Samantha placed too many fences around her heart? Maybe her Mom who has cancer, her Aunt Dovie and her wacky boarders,or the young girl she once judged so harshly, who she is now trying to aid, can help teach Samantha some lessons about forgiving the past and having second chances. I quite enjoyed this book.It was a lovely romance with some life lessons of forgiveness and acceptance. A light easy read that will make you smile not only from the budding romances but with the humor of the colorful characters. The characters are very likeable from Lien and her outgoing personality to Aunt Dovie and her inner peace she seems to exude on those around her. I think this book would be great for anyone who loves romance novels with a little bit of humor and tenderness.

 **Disclosure a free copy of this book was provided to me through Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.**

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Shadows on the Sand a wonderful mystery romance

My review:

Shadows on the Sand is the first mystery book that I have ever read.If all mystery romance novels are like this one I will be reading many more to come.I love that when you start reading this you have no idea where the story is going to end up and all the characters are carefully fleshed out and twined into the story.The budding romance between Carrie and Greg is swoon worthy.They both have troubled past that haunt them in some way and yet they somehow help each other heal and overcome their emotional baggage.I was surprised to find out the way that Andi was related to the things happening in the story.The Pathway added a unique element to the story that I found very interesting.This book not only was a great mystery but a great romance but also shows great insight into emotional wounds,healing,and forgiveness.

** Disclosure this book was provided to me by blogging for books program in exchange for my honest review. **

Review Bound for Glory

   This book is very unique. It is a compilation of spiritual reflections by Patricia Raybon,music, and coinciding expressive calligraphy by Timothy R Botts. You get a chance to read about some of the rich history of these beautiful songs and how they helped in even the most desperate times. While also having the lovely coinciding calligraphy.

   I thought this book was very beautiful and helped to really express the hope that was meant to be felt with its expressive words and vivid imagery. I loved the songs and knew quite a few of them already. This book is about the gift of music and using it as a instrument of healing and faith. I believe that this book would be enjoyed by anyone with a love of God and music.



** Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Tyndale House.

Review Softly & Tenderly by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck

 I was pleasantly surprised to see Sara Evans, multi-platinum recording artist, had written this book. I was a little sad to see when it arrived that it was actually the second book in a series called songbird novels. But as I started reading it I was immediately drawn into the story and did not feel I was missing anything that was imperative to the story. Do not get me wrong I would love to read the first book in this series as I enjoyed this one so much, but it also can very easily be a stand alone novel.


Softly & Tenderly is a wonderfully written, impelling, emotional novel. I really loved getting to know Jade and her mom. I felt very taken with Jade and that I could really relate with her and her struggles of the heart. I love the time her and her mom got to spend together back in their hometown back in Prairie City, such a small, down to earth, country town much like my own. Jade's voice in this story truly expresses a woman's heart in times of hardship. She's vulnerable but strong, torn but not broken, emotional but headstrong. My heart ached and longed right along with her every step of the way. I love that Jade's story is not over yet and that I will get to revisit her in the Songbird series upcoming novel.


I think this is a book all women from young adult and up could really relate to and enjoy.The author's voice is so brilliant and shines through Jade with such poise.






** Disclosure I received this book free from the publisher through booksneeze book review program in exchange for my honest review.**

Review:Billy Graham in Quotes

Billy Graham has been a powerful voice for decades now. This book is a lovely compilation of some of his teachings as a worldwide known and respected preacher. Compiled by his own son, Franklin Graham, Billy Graham In Quotes is a unparalleled collection of both personal and published works of Billy Graham. It touches a wide range of subjects from marriage to abortion, deception to decision, creation to conviction, just to name a few.


In this lovely book, not only when people hear his teachings do they know he knows about God, but they can truly tell that this man knows God in his heart. This would be a great edition to add to your homes permanent library for reference and reflection. It could serve as a great source of comfort and recollection of God's words and promises to us. Sometimes when we are in certain situations we forget to remember the things God has taught us about the subject. I think the easy guide that breaks the quotes down to subject would be great to help out in these situations. It also is sure to list biblical reference for all subjects so that we can find the verses on the particular tpoic in our bibles ourselves with more ease.


All in all I would recommend this book for anyone. Especially those who love Billy Graham's crusades.

** Disclosure I received this ebook free from the publisher through booksneeze book review program in exchange for my honest review.

review the priest with dirty clothes

Another amazing book by R.C. Sproul. This one is by far my favorite of the three I have read by him so far. It is so clear in its meaning and at the same time has such a intriguing story. Even though it is simple enough for young children to understand, I believe it is a story that will appeal to all ages. The beautiful metaphors will pull at your heartstrings. This is one story I would love for my daughter to learn by heart.

** I received this book free in exchange for my honest review. **

Review Breath of Angel

My review:

This book has great potential. The storyline is very interesting but sometimes it gets drowned in a lot of unnecessary ramble. There is a lot of detail trying to explain the background of everything that's happening and who these people are and what purpose they serve. I think the story is amazing if you can keep from getting bored during the dragging portions. I think the next book would probably be better since there wouldn't be as many details trying to be crammed in between the story plot. I would like to give the next in this series a shot.


** This book was provided to me free in exchange for my honest review on behalf of Waterbrookmultnomah blogging for books program.**

review: The Prince's Poison Cup

My review: 

R.C Sproul has done it again. The Prince's Poison Cup will touch your heart and remind you of the Lord's great love for us. His stories are simple yet so powerful. The meaning is very clear but he has also included questions and answers with scriptures to help you fully make the connection between the story and the true stories of what Christ has done for us. The illustration is lovely and adds character to the book. I think this story would be wonderful to read as a family with adults and older children alike. His books always give me a renewed sense of devotion to the Lord for what he has done for me.

** I received this book free in exchange for my honest review. **

Review: The Lightlings by R.C. Sproul

My review: 

This book is so lovely. The story is so simple and thought provoking. The beautiful metaphors the author uses are heart warming. This could be understood and enjoyed by even the smallest of children and also a real treat for adults alike. I feel the story held a beautiful innocent truth of the simplicity of giving your life to the lord. The light is truly a great symbol and made the message of this story very powerful. I thought it was so wonderful how the author not only added questions and answers at the end but also included the bible verses to back up the Q&A's. The book had lovely illustrations throughout and was quite enjoyable. I would recommend this story to all ages especially to read together as a family.


** I received this book in exchange for my honest review. **

review: dragonspell

My review:

Weaving together memorable characters, daring adventure, and a core of eternal truth, Dragonspell is a finely crafted and welcome addition to the corpus of fantasy fiction.

I loved this book! It is a fun fantasy adventure with just the right combination of both elements. It has a great storyline and loveable characters. This book is full of insight and can really tug at your heart. I love the picture you draw from the description of the characters. I felt I could see each of them and felt as though they were my friends too. I never knew what was coming next, especially as the friends came across some not so friendly creatures in their quest. This is a very fun story to read. I highly recommend it to everyone.


** I received this book free of charge from waterbrookmultnomah in exchange for my honest review.**

Review: The Hunt by Linell Jeppsen

This book was a real page turner.I love the way the author tells the stories of all the sets of characters and then intertwines them together.You get a reall feel of the characters and a real understanding of all sides of the story.This story is unique and captivating.Although I do want to note that I thought that the book may be to gory for me by the very descriptive first 2 pages ,but after that I completely fell in love with this book and couldn't put it down.I understand that these images were there a much needed insight to the total disreguard for these people from the ones who done it.So I would not change this and am glad that I pushed past it to finish this book that had me hooked from beginning to end.

* I received this book in exchange for honest review *

book review: You Were Born For This by Bruce Wilkinson

This book will renew and refresh your spirit.It shows people that sometimes you have to start within yourself to help along the things that we want to see from God.It does this in such a way though that it makes you want to do it.You want to be better.You want to practice these steps in your life."The truth is,you were born to live a supernatural life doing God's work by God's power.You were born to walk out your door each morning believing that God will use you to deliver a necessary miracle today.This book will show you how."I think this 3 sentence quote tells you alot about the power that this book has in store for you if you just read it and apply it's words to your heart.

Some of my favorite authors

While I am waiting on my first book to come through the mail to review.I decided to tell everyone about my favorite authors.I love Stephenie Meyer for getting me back into reading, Candace Havens books that I have read have all been amazing, and Kelley Armstrong's WOTOW series has had me hooked from book one.I have been on a bit of a paranormal/fantasy kick recently if you can't tell,but I love lots of different types of books and will be reviewing several different genres.

Hi there!

This is my first blog.It is devoted to reviewing books. I have just put in my order for my first book to receive to review.It should be here in a couple weeks.I will then read the book and post my thoughts.So stay tuned.