This Road We Traveled

Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of nearly thirty books, including A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center.  She is also the winner of the WILLA Literary Award and Carol Award for Historical Fiction.  Jane lives in Central Oregon with her husband, Jerry.

Connect with Jane at her website www.jkbooks.com.

Tabitha Brown refuses to be left behind in Missouri when her son makes the decision to strike out for Oregon - even if she has to hire her own wagon to join the party.  After all, family ties are stronger than fear.

Alon with her reluctant daughter and her ever-hopeful granddaughter, the intrepid Tabitha has her misgivings.  The trials they face along the way will severely test her faith, courage, and ability to hope.  With her family's survival on the line, she must make the ultimate sacrifice, plunging deeper into the wilderness to seek aid.  What she couldn't know was how this frightening journey would impact how she understood her own life - and the greater part she had to lay in history.



My Thoughts:
I'm not sure anyone writes historical fiction quite like Jane Kirkpatrick.  Jane has a particular gift of bringing history to life and replays it in living color through her description and characters.  She transports readers to a different time and place and makes them feel as if they are a part of the story and not just an observer.
This Road We Traveled is Jane's 25th Historical Fiction novel and is based on the life of Tabby Moffatt Brown, known as  The Mother of Oregon.  Jane brings depth to this story by allowing the reader to see the journey unfold from different points of view.  Her writing draws the reader in and holds the attention until the last page is turned.  You won't be sorry for time spent within the pages of this latest book from Jane Kirkpatrick and will find yourself desiring to drink in her other offerings as well.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book.  The opinions expressed here are my own.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer

Waves of Mercy

Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide.  She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions.
Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live in Michigan.

Connect with Lynn at her website:
www.lynnaustin.org.

You can also connect with Lynn:
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Haunted by the unknowns of their pasts, two women search for answers along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Chicago socialite Anna Nicholson retreats to the Hotel Ottawa in Holland, Michigan, after breaking her engagement with her wealthy fiance.  Filled with questions about her newfound faith and troubled by a recurring nightmare, Anna finds solace in Derk Vander Veen, a seasonal hotel worker who plans to go into the ministry.

Prompted by a request from her son, Geesje de Jonge begins to sift through memories of  emigrating from the Netherlands almost fifty years ago.  As she writes them down for the Semi-Centennial anniversary of the town's settlement, her story takes on a life of its own as she honestly and painfully recalls her regrets, doubts, hardships, and joys.  Her story captivates Derk, who sees similarities between Geesje and Anna, and wishes to bring the two together.

Past and present collide as Anna and Geesje seek clarity, but neither expects the revelations that await them.

My Thoughts:
Several years ago I read the book While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin.  It was my first book to read by Lynn, but I knew I would read more. Soon after came All Things New. Then she had me mesmerized with The Restoration Chronicles, which included Return to Me,  Keepers of the Covenant, and On This Foundation.  
Her recent Historical Fiction novel, Waves of Mercy, tells the story of Geesje de Jonge and Anna Nicholson.  The story is multi-dimensional, where you get a story within the story.  I was intrigued by the characters, Geesje in particular, from the very beginning.  Lynn's characters are complex and the plot is well thought out.  She seamlessly writes of the past and the present bringing the two together to tell a story of faith, forgiveness and yes, wave after wave of God's mercy.
I appreciated how Austin weaved the gospel - God's grace and mercy - and God's sovereignty throughout Geesje and Anna's stories.  God is always working out His purposes and His plan often behind the scenes.  Waves of Mercy portrays this idea so well.
When you get to the end of a book and you turn the last page breathless and wanting more, you know you've just finished an inspiring story.  Waves of Mercy is a story you won't want to miss!

*I received a copy for review.  All opinions are my own.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer

Experiencing God Through His Names

Sheryl Giesbrecht has written three books, hundreds of articles, blogs, and columns. A nationally syndicated radio host, Sheryl is a sought after inspirational speaker who facilitates leadership training for thousands internationally.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Experiencing God Through His Names (Bold Vision Books, June 2016)

What's in a name?

Names are more than groups of letters that represent a person or identify objects. Names are powerful. A person's character and destiny can be influenced by his or her name. God's attributes and personality support His unique and distinct names. If we comprehend the meanings of His titles, we can know God more intimately. In Experiencing God Through His Names, Sheryl Giesbrecht walks with you on an exciting journey to discover and absorb the truth about God's character. In the next 31 days, God wants you to get to know Him. Are you ready?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2cLBOPE

My Thoughts:

I've always been intrigued by studies and devotionals centered around the different names of God used in Scripture.  Experiencing God Through His Names offers readers 31 days of devotional thoughts on the names of God.  Geisbrecht's thoughts each day are a blend of personal story, teaching, and reflection on one particular name.  She references Scripture but does not give one focal Scripture to reflect upon.  She does include a prayer at the end of each day.  I missed having reflective/application questions at the end of each devotion.  This is a really good "beginners" look into the names of God.

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

Blessings,

Jennifer

Good & Angry

Can you be both good and angry?

In this groundbreaking book, David Powilson reframes the universal problem of anger through and in-depth exploration of God's anger and ours.  Full of practical help for all who struggle with how to respond when life goes wrong.  Good & Angry sets readers on a path toward the faithful and fruitful expression of anger.

David Powlison, MDiv, PhD, is Executive Director of CCEF and a counselor with over thirty years of experience. He has written many books and minibooks, including Seeing with New Eyes; Speaking Truth in Love; and The Biblical Counseling Movement, and is the editor of The Journal of Biblical Counseling.










My Thoughts:
David Powlison is a long time trusted biblical counselor.  In his latest book, Good & Angry, Powlison offers readers a seat at the table with him for a biblical look at anger.  In typical Powlison style, the book is written in a conversational and engaging style.  It's almost as if the reader has pulled up a chair at their local Starbucks and is sharing a cup of coffee and conversation with Powlison.  I appreciated that Good & Angry was not another psychological treatise on "how to control ourselves" better, but a biblical and redeeming response to a natural emotion. You will be blessed by your time spent reading Good & Angry.  The book would be a great resource for discipleship meetings or small group studies.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book for the purpose of giving an honest review.

Blessings,
Jennifer

Priceless: She's Worth Fighting For

In 2012 Joel and Luke Smallbone founded for King & Country and were named Billboard's New Artists to Watch.  Since then, they've exceeded expectations with 750,000 albums sold, 100 million streams, sold-out shows, two Grammy awards, six K-LOVE fan awards, and appearances on national television shows such as The View, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show, Fox & Friends, and others.  The "Priceless Movement" has been part of the band from the beginning, reminding women of their worth and encouraging men to respect and honor women.

The powerfully compelling novelization of the major motion picture by Joel and Luke Smallbone of the band for King & Country.

Publisher:  Worthy Publishing

James Stevens was, at one time, a good man with a great life.  After the tragic death of his wife and losing custody of his little girl, James is at the darkest crossroad of his life.  Angry,desperate, and unable to hold down a steady job, he agrees to drive a box truck on a shady, one-time trip cross country for cash - no questions asked.  When he discovers what he is delivering is actually a who, the questions in his mind begin haunting him mercilessly.  James becomes an unlikely hero who must fight to save the lives of two young women and finds himself falling in love with one of them.
Can love, strength, and faith redefine his past and change the course of his future?

My Thoughts:
If you were to ask me, "Who is your favorite band?", I would without a second thought answer with "for King & Country, of course".  Their lyrics inspire and now that inspiration is spreading to the big screen with the upcoming movie Priceless in theaters October 14th.  Joel and Luke Smallbone teamed up with Nancy Rue to write a novelization of the major motion picture.
I don't typically appreciate novelizations of movies.  Most of the time, I find them lacking.  Priceless: She's Worth Fighting For was a refreshing and expected cut way above the rest.  While the book begins and moves for a few chapters at a slow pace, the second half takes your breath away!  The slow pace of the beginning of the story is acceptable as it sets up the characters and back story which for me enhanced the emotional and inspiring second half of the book.
I appreciated that Joel, Luke and Nancy did not hold back as they approached the subject matter.  They didn't clean things up to make it more easy to swallow.  I felt anger at points in the story and was heartbroken and in tears at other points.  The characterization and plot are well thought out and the transformation of James is beautiful.  This is a story portraying how beauty can arise from the ashes and I can't wait to see it on the big screen.

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



Blessings,
Jennifer

To Follow Her Heart

Rebecca DeMarino is the author of The Southhold Chronicles, a series based on the lives of her ninth great-greandparents, Mary Langton and Barnabas Horton.  She inherited her love of baking and gardening from her mother; a love of horses, reading, and writing from her dad; and the wanderlust gene from both parents.  She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, New England Historical Genealogical Sociaety, and the Southold Long Island Historical Society.

You can learn more about Rebecca and her books at her website:  www.rebeccademarino.com.

Duty and love are powerful forces.  Only one has the power to make her life complete.

It is 1664 and Patience Terry is devastated to learn that Captain Jeremy Horton's ship has been shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados.  There were no survivors.  She had hoped that Jeremy would someday give up the sea and settle down with her in Southold, Long Island.

Unaware his memorial service is being planned, Jeremy sails aboard a British warship with secret orders to attack New Amsterdam and claim it for the British Crown.  When he makes his surprise return to Southold - and to an overjoyed Patience - it's not quite the happily-ever-after his beloved had hoped for.

With a finely tuned senxe for authentic historical characters and settings, Rebecca DeMarino plunges you into a world of tall ships, daring journeys and yearning hearts.

My Thoughts:
I have really enjoyed the previous books in The Southold Chronicles, A Place in His Heart and To Capture Her Heart, and To Follow Her Heart did not disappoint!  DeMarino's impeccable research and knowledge of the history and nuances of the time period are obvious.  She is able to transport readers to another time and place.  I felt as if I were actually there with Patience and Jeremy and could see and feel the things they were seeing and feeling.  This is an exceptional Historical romance series and author you will not want to miss!

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

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer

Honor Redeemed: Keys of Promise

Christine Johnson is the author of Love's Rescue as well as several books for Steeple Hill and Love Inspired.  She was twice named a finalist for Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award. When not writing, she loves to hike and explore God's majestic creation.  These days, she and her husband, a Great Lakes ship pilot, split their time between northern Michigan and the Florida Keys.

Her Future - and her heart - hang in the balance.

Two years ago, Prosperity Jones waved farewell to her beloved David as the army sent him to faraway Key West.  Now with her parents gone, se has but one prospect for the future:  make the dangerous journey from Nantucket to Key West to reunite with David and secure a happier life.

But when Prosperity arrives penniless in the South, she is dismayed to find David has not been eagerly awaiting their reunion.  In fact, he is married to someone else.  Scrambling to survive and nursing a broken heart, Prosperity gains the friendship - and the affection - of a kind doctor.  Could he be the answer to her loneliness?  Or will her life be upended by circumstance yet again?

With deft hand, Christine Johnson fills the senses with the sights, sounds and smells of Key West in this heartwarming story of honor lost, honor redeemed, and a love forged in adversity.

My Thoughts:
Christine Johnson is a new author to me, but Honor Redeemed will not be the last novel of hers that I read!  Johnson writes a story that is wrought with tension and emotion.  Her characters are well-developed and her plot is intricate.  Honor Redeemed is a story of love and personal sacrifice and the dependence we have on God for our very next breath.
Johnson had me engaged on the first page and I kept turning pages until I reached the last...way too soon.  I didn't want the story to end and I'm left wondering what happens further with Prosperity and David.  My only regret is that I did not read the first book in the series, but I will be correcting that mistake very soon.

*I was given a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher for the purpose of giving my honest review.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer