Land of Silence

Tessa Afshar is the Christy Award-winning author of several works of biblical fiction.  She holds an MDiv from Yale University, where she served as cochair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the divinity school.  She has worked full-time in ministry ever since.

Visit her online at www.tessaafshar.com.

Before Christ called her daughter...Before she stole healing by touching the hem of His garment...

Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt.  After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgieness by working for her father's textile trade and caring for her family.  When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for.  As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love.  Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left. 

No physician can cure her.  No end is in sight.  Until she hears whispers of a man whose mere touch can heal.  After so many years of suffering and disappointment, is it possible that one man could redeem the wounds of body, heart, and soul?



My Thoughts:
Tessa Afshar brings a unique voice to biblical fiction and is in a league of her own.  Afshar's rendering of the biblical account of the woman with the issue of blood from Scripture (Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48) is a captivating story of grace and healing.  Tessa captures readers' attention with her keen eye toward character development and descriptive detail regarding time period, place and people.  Her phrasing and dialogue between characters is nothing short of beautiful and emotionally riveting.  Afshar's picture of the woman's encounter with Jesus drives you to Scripture and makes one hungry to encounter Him and to dream those "if only" dreams with faith.  You don't want to miss this one!

*I received a complimentary copy of the book for the purpose of giving an honest review.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer

Silence in the Dark

Patricia Bradley is the award-winning author of Shadows of the Past, A Promise to Protect and Gone Without a Trace.  Winner of a Daphne du Maurier Award and a Touched by Love Award.  Bradley is a memeber of AmericanChristian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America and makes her home in Mississippi.  Learn more about Patricia at www.ptbradley.com.

Bailey Adams is running for her life...again.

When Bailey Adams left Logan Point two years ago for Mexico, she thought she was getting away from her problems.  Running into her ex-fiance Danny Maxwell was not part of the plan-neither was being chased through the city by the local drug cartel, the Calatrava.  Now despite her best efforts, Danny is her only chance of escaping the people chasing her and getting back to Logan Point safely.

Can Bailey find the strength to face what's coming?  And in the midst of the chaos, can she keep herself from falling in love with her rescuer all over again?




My Thoughts:
Patricia Bradley writes fast-paced suspense like no other!  I've read all of the Logan Point novels and the stories have gotten better and better.  Silence in the Dark was a nail-biter from the Prologue to the last page.  Bradley drops readers in the middle of the action and keeps them engaged in the story with richly and quickly developed characters and fast moving scenes.  Bradley builds tension and suspense quickly.  Bradley ends Bailey's and Danny's story in such a way that readers are left able to creatively imagine how their story could end.  Bradley's books are not ones to begin before bedtime.  You won't get much sleep unless you are a speed reader!

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer

Someone Like You

Victoria Bylin writes contemporary and historical romances known for their realistic, relatable characters. Her work has finaled in contests such as the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and the RT Reviewers' Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

About the book: 

Someone Like You (Bethany House, May 2016)

Single mom Julia Dare has a lot on her plate.

A brand new Christian, Julia is busy trying to run her own business, spend time with her widowed mother, and raise her young son, Max, despite his father's less-than-ideal influence on him. When a big account from her event-planning business sends her to the Caliente Springs resort, she's shocked to come face-to-face with Zeke Monroe, the resort's general manager and her college sweetheart.

With his faith in tatters, Zeke Monroe is determined to keep the historic Caliente Springs resort running despite financial difficulties. But when Julia walks back into his life, he can't ignore the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client's dream wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. When Zeke and Julia are pushed to their limits both personally and professionally, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1TPfW3k

To see what others are saying about the book, you can visit HERE.

My Thoughts:

I've read Bylin's previous books Until I Found You and Together With You.  This most recent book did not disappoint!  Readers who like contemporary Christian romances will really enjoy Bylin's cast of characters in Someone Like You.  This is not your typical Christian romance.  Bylin does an excellent job of giving readers characters whose lives aren't all neat and tidy but showcases the transformation that God's grace brings about in a life.  I liked hearing from the different points of view as well.  In this story, there is tension, romance and even a bit of suspense in wondering how everything will work out.  I appreciated that Bylin didn't "spill all the beans" too early.  Above all, the thread of faith is strong and the gospel message is clear.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Link here: https://promosimple.com/ps/9939

Happy Reading Ya'll,

Jennifer

 

1 Peter: A Living Hope In Christ

Jen Wilkin is a wife, mom to four, and an advocate for women to love God with their minds through the faithful study of His Word.  She is a speaker, writer, and teacher of the Bible.  Jen lives in Flower Mound, TX, and her family calls The Village Chuch home.  Jen is the author of Women of the Word:  How To Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds and Sermon on the Mount Bible Study.  You can also find her at jenwilkin.blogspot.com.

Our inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

Peter, a man of faith and flaws and an eyewitness to the life of Christ, challenges us to look beyond our current circumstances to a future inheritance.  In 1 Peter, he shares concerns about big picture issues for the early believers, reminding them of the living hope they have in Christ.  Peter describes our rue identity as believers and points us to humility and submission.  Walk through 1 Peter with Jen Wilkin in this 9-session, video-driven Bible study.
Expand your understanding of 1 Peter by reading the letter in its entirety each week of study.
Follow a verse-by-verse approach to complete a book study.
Whether you are new to Bible study or more familiar with Scripture, gain a working knowledge of God's Word and the Bible as a whole.

Also available is the 1 Peter Bible Study Kit which includes resources for leading a 9-session group study:  1 Bible Study book, two DVDs with nine teaching sessions featuring Jen Wilkin.

Digital resources:  E-book and video sessions available.



My Thoughts:
I absolutely love and appreciate the approach and focus The Gospel Coalition Women's Initiatives and Jen Wilkin have taken in this study of 1 Peter.

"We look first for what a passage can teach us about the character of God, allowing self-discovery to be the byproduct of God-discovery.  This is a much better approach because there can be no true knowledge of self apart from knowledge of God."

 I think the unique approach of discouraging the use of commentaries and encouraging the use of a copy of God's word without study notes is a fresh and needed study method.  Wilkin's heart is for women to not only enjoy the study of 1 Peter, but learn to apply these study methods to the study of other books of the Bible with a focus on three stages of study:

1. Comprehension
2. Interpretation
3. Application

"Approaching God's Word with a God-centered perspective, with context, and with care takes effort and commitment.  It is study for the long-term."

The study is organized with:

• Listening guides to go along with the video sessions with ample room for note taking
• Week's study that includes 5 days of personal study
• Group discussion guide
• An Appendix section that includes the entire book of 1 Peter in print using the English Standard Version of the Bible

I am very excited about this study and will be using it with my Women's group at my church for our Fall Bible Study.

*I was provided with a copy of the member book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Blessings,
Jennifer

Her One and Only

Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and now lives in Dallas. A favorite among readers of Christian contemporary romance, Becky has won a Carol Award, an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and an INSPY Award.

You can connect with Becky at:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

About the book: 
Her One and Only (Bethany House, May 2016)

After ten years in the NFL, super star Gray Fowler is accustomed to obsessive fans.

But when Gray starts receiving death threats from a stalker, his team hires an executive protection agency to guard him until the culprit is caught. Dealing with bodyguards 24/7 is a headache, especially when one of them is a young, beautiful woman. How can a female half his size possibly protect him better than he can protect himself?

Dru Porter is a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt---none of which saved her from disaster on her last assignment. In order to rebuild her tarnished reputation, she's determined to find Gray's stalker and, since relationships between agents and clients are forbidden, avoid a romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past.

Yet every secret that leads Dru closer to the stalker also draws her closer to Gray. As the danger escalates, they'll survive only if they can learn to trust their lives---and their hearts---to one another. 

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1NrA4cO

My Thoughts:

Her One and Only was my first novel by Becky Wade to read.  What I found in this novel was a sweet love story between two bigger than life characters - Dru and Gray.  Wade does an exceptional job of presenting two highly developed characters and telling the story through both their viewpoints.  I appreciated the way Wade showed the transformation that took place in both Dru and Wade through the progression of the story.  She works in themes of faith, family and romance as well as a bit of suspense.  If you are looking for a light read that draws you in with lovable characters and a thread of suspense and mystery, you will love Her One and Only.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book for the purpose of giving an honest review.

To see what others are saying about the book, visit HERE.

Happy Reading ya'll,

Jennifer

The Magnolia Duchess

Beth Whit'e day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama.  A native Mississippian, she writes historical romance with a Southern drawl and is the author of The Pelican Bride and The Creole Princess.  Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers' Choice Award and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award.  Learn more about Beth and her books at www.bethwhite.net.

As the War of 1812 rages across the newly formed United States, another war rages in Fiona Lanier's heart--one that threatens to tear her family apart.

Fiona can scarcely take in the news of her brother's capture and imprisonment by the British Navy. It is almost as unbelievable as the half-drowned British sailor who is washed ashore on the beach of Navy Cove.

Charlie Kincaid claims to have no memory of his life before being discovered by Fiona, but in a world that seems saturated with treachery, she cannot be sure he is telling the truth.
As Charlie's memory returns in agonizing jags and crashes, he and Fiona discover that falling in love may be as inevitable as the tide. But when political allegiances collide, they'll each have to decide where their true loyalty lies.

My Thoughts:
Beth White's books are just plain fun to read!  I love how she captures the Southern culture and time period at hand in her books.  You will love Charlie and Fiona!  The romantic thread in The Magnolia Duchess is endearing.  Readers will find it easy to get lost in the story and not come up for air until the end.  Anything Beth writes, you will want to read!
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer

A Dream of Miracles

Ruth Reid is a CBA and ECPA bestselling author of the Heaven on Earth series. She's a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children. When attending Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life.  Connect with Ruth through:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

About the book: 

A Dream of Miracles (Thomas Nelson, April 2016)

Amish widow Mattie vows never to love again . . . until a suspicious outsider with a shadowy past comes crashing into her fragile world.

Mattie Diener can barely keep it together. A young Amish widow and mother of two young children, she faces the lingering heartbreak of lost love, her son's mysterious illness, and a torrent of accusations that threaten to undo her.

Bo Lambright is a fast-rising social services investigator whose high-society mother won't rest until she finds his Mrs. Right. Despite Bo's worldly success, the raw ache of a shadowy past and a series of unsettling dreams have left him reeling.

When Mattie and Bo cross paths, all signs point to disaster. Yet as they face a crucible of trials and tragedies together, longings begin to stir that seem destined only to end in more heartbreak. Is a miracle possible---not only of healing but of forbidden love? What secrets lie in Bo's dreams? And will Mattie find the courage to face her uncertain future . . . or will she simply run away?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1S7DC2v

My Thoughts:

Ruth Reid has become my go-to Amish writer.  I often become bored with Amish themed novels because they all begin sounding the same.  Reid brings something different to the table that keeps me reading her books.  She brings the Amish and the Englischer world together like no other.  The story line in A Dream of Miracles was particularly easy to be drawn into due to my background as a Social Worker.  I enjoyed hearing the story from the voices of both Mattie and Bo.  Reid's characters are richly developed and her writing is such that it's easy for the reader to become deeply involved and invested early in the story and committed to the very last page.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher for my honest review.

Happy Reading Ya'll,

Jennifer

The Inheritance

Michael Phillips is a bestselling author with more than 70 of his own titles. In addition, he has served as editor/redactor of nearly 30 more books. He is known as the man responsible for the reawakened interest in George MacDonald of the last 30 years. In addition to the MacDonald titles adapted/edited for today's reader, his publishing efforts in bringing back full-length quality facsimile editions also spawned renewed interest in MacDonald's original work. Michael and his wife, Judy, spend time each year in Scotland but make their home near Sacramento, California.  Connect with Michael on Facebook.

The Inheritance (Bethany House, April 2016)

The death of the clan patriarch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whale's Reef into turmoil.

Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch's heir to be his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that MacGregor left no will, David's grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island's land. And while Hardy doesn't enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate's assets while the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial limbo. The future of the island-and its traditional way of life-hangs in the balance.

Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .

Past and present collide in master storyteller Phillips's dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace, and of the dreams of men and women everywhere.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1QpMpIN

My Thoughts:

The Inheritance was my first book to read by Michael Phillips.  The synopsis of the book was intriguing and I was excited to join the tour sponsored by Litfuse for the book.  If I'm completely honest, the read was a little disappointing.  I understand this is the first book in a new saga, Secrets of the Shetlands by Phillips, so there were a lot of characters to introduce, but they all became a bit confusing to keep up with.  The story also drug by very slowly in places that made it a little difficult to continue reading.  The Celtic dialect made for a clumsy read in places as well.  With this said, I am not willing to give up completely on Phillips and will be looking for the next book to continue the story.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Happy Reading Ya'll,

Jennifer