First Book of the Year 2014 Read a long

Sheila at Book Journey is hosting this reading challenge. The goal is to list what book you are going to be reading on January 1, 2014. If you would like to participate go here to sign up: http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2013/12/06/first-book-of-the-year-2014/


Edit: I will be reading The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Unforseeable by Nancy Mehl (Review)

Series: Road to Kingdom (Book 3)

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 1, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0764209291

Callie Hoffman has a good life in Kingdom, Kansas. She's engaged to Levi Housler, the new pastor of Kingdom Mennonite Church, and she spends her days working with Lizzie Housler, her friend and soon-to-be sister-in-law, at the town cafe.

When a body is discovered on the road outside Kingdom and the deceased turns out to be the victim of a serial killer, the new county sheriff begins questioning Kingdom residents. Unsettled at the prospect of a killer in Kingdom, Callie is desperate to find answers for herself, especially when her own fiance seems to know more about the murder than he's telling.

My Review:

This was a great conclusion to the Road to Kingdom trilogy. The plot and characters are well written and interesting. It is a wild ride from beginning to end. I did not guess the real killer until the end. There were several twists and turns. The conclusion for the mystery part blew my mind. The romance between Callie and Levi was kind of in the background but still good. This was a good Amish romance suspense mystery book. Highly Recommend the whole series. :)






Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. She's authored thirteen books and is currently at work on a new romantic suspense series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy's novels have an added touch - something for your spirit as well as your soul. "I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing," Nancy says. "It's a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn't be writing at all if I didn't believe that this is what He's called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can't overcome with His help." She and her husband attend Believer's Tabernacle in Wichita.

You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com or her blog at: www.nancymehl.blogspot.com.

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl (Review)

Series: Road to Kingdom (Book 2)

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 1, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0764209284

Gentle and unassuming Hope Kauffman has never been one to question or try to make changes. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal her father arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.

Despite Hope's and other Kingdom residents' attempts to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, and when one of Kingdom's own is threatened by a mysterious outsider, Jonathon is one of the first to push for the town to arm itself. Hope's fiance, Ebbie, is at the forefront of those demanding the town stay true to its traditions of nonviolence.

When strange incidents around town result in outright attacks on several townspeople, Hope can't help but question what she's always been taught. As the town that's always stood so strong together is torn apart at the seams, Hope is caught between opposing sides, both represented by those she has come to care for. With tensions high and lives endangered by an unknown threat, Hope fears Kingdom can never survive in one piece.


My Review:

I thought this was a good second book to the Road to Kingdom series. The characters and plot are well written and engaging. I enjoyed reading Hope's story. I could feel her turmoil over the whole situation. She has to pick between two godly men, Jonathon and Ebbie. I was very happy with her choice at the end. The biggest theme in the book is whether to use violence to fight violence. The town of Kingdom is Mennonite and its against their doctrine. Hope was attacked twice among other incidents in the town. I felt like I could feel the emotions of the characters. The author does not tell you what to think. The characters represent all point of views. Turning the other cheek is never easy especially when someone you love is in danger. The conclusion is satisfying. I love this type of book which is romantic suspense and the Mennonite aspect makes it unique. Recommended.






Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. She's authored thirteen books and is currently at work on a new romantic suspense series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy's novels have an added touch - something for your spirit as well as your soul. "I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing," Nancy says. "It's a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn't be writing at all if I didn't believe that this is what He's called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can't overcome with His help." She and her husband attend Believer's Tabernacle in Wichita.

You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com or her blog at: www.nancymehl.blogspot.com. You can also find her on FaceBook


Review copy provided by Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

Strait of Hormuz by Davis Bunn (Review)

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (November 5, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0764211386

The threat of an Iranian blockade of the narrow Strait of Hormuz is escalating global tensions. Sanctions against Tehran have begun to bite, and it seeks to retaliate by cutting off vital shipping routes for crude oil. The specter of a preemptive Israeli strike has US officials on edge as they struggle to keep the world from plunging into the abyss.

Stymied in its efforts to uncover the sources of funding that bolster the Iranian nuclear program, the State Department calls on Marc Royce to investigate. With little to go on, he'll have to rely on an old ally. Kitra Korban has ties to people with the means to get things done, so long as no questions are asked.

But Iran is on the brink of nuclear capability, and time is running out.

My Review:

I enjoyed reading this latest fast paced Marc Royce thriller. This is the third suspense book featuring Marc Royce, an ex USA agent. This book had suspense, romance, and mystery. I was hooked from page one. Kitra is his ex girlfriend who is backed by Israeli intelligence, Mossad. Marc is semi backed by the State Department. Together they have to figure out what's going on and fix it before the world starts fighting. The plot and characters were well developed and interesting. The conclusion was satisfying. Recommended.




Davis Bunn is the author of over nineteen national bestsellers, and his books have sold over six million copies in sixteen languages. The recipient of three Christy Awards, Bunn currently serves as writer-in-residence at Oxford University.

Review copy provided by Bethany Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Amish Prayers by Beverly Lewis (Review)

Hardcover: 139 pages

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (April 5, 2011)

ISBN-13: 978-1611295535

The Amish as well as other Anabaptist groups have used the same book of prayers for centuries. Now for the first time a selection of these prayers is readily available in English. This exclusive authentic translation from the original German--with an introduction by Beverly Lewis--will give readers insights into the spiritual foundations of the Plain people. Each prayer is paired with a Scripture passage to draw readers closer to God. This hardcover illustrated gift book is perfect for old and new fans of Amish fiction alike.

My Review:

I thought this was a touching collection of prayers. The book is divided into sections like prayers for a new day, guidance, and purity of heart. They are short, simple, and easy to understand. I love the English bible verse underneath each prayer. I read the entire book in one sitting but it can easily be used for daily devotions. Like a lot of people I am at times fascinated by the Amish way of living which can seem simpler. Recommended.


About the author:

I've had my nose in a book, for as long as I remember. When I was about 9 years old, I started writing my own stories. By sixth grade, I'd hand-written a 66-page semi-autobiographical book titled, "She Shall Have Music."

When I'm between writing deadlines, I enjoy hiking in the Rocky Mountains with my husband. Cooking from scratch, playing Mozart at the piano, and making family memory albums, as well as traveling to meet my devoted readers during book tours, are some of my very favorite things. I also adore reading biographies and memoirs, as well as classic literature.
Review copy provided by Bethany publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Every Waking Moment by Chris Fabry (Review)

Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (August 16, 2013)

ISBN-10: 1414348630

“Our stories intertwine in ways we can’t know when we first hear them. And maybe the point of all this is that we’d do well to listen.”

Treha Langsam is a mysterious young woman who has fallen through the cracks, much like many of the elderly people she works with at Desert Gardens. But Miriam Howard, director of the assisted-living facility, sees her extraordinary gift and untapped potential. Treha is a whisperer of sorts, calling those who have slipped into dementia back to a life of vibrant, if only temporary, clarity.

When a documentary team stumbles onto Treha’s story, her gift is discovered and the search for answers about her past begins. As the truth slowly unravels, Treha and those around her must each tackle a difficult question: if this is as good as life gets, is that enough?

With authentic characterizations and riveting prose, bestselling author Chris Fabry delivers an uplifting, human tale of an ordinary woman with an extraordinary gift.

My Review:

I thought this was an okay Contemporary Christian fiction book. The characters and the plot were interesting. It was a little confusing at times. The chapters switch back and forth from the documentary and present action. The story was also told from several point of views. Treha was a little hard to connect too. I instantly liked Miriam and how she cared for the facility. The main plot focus was on Treha. Who was she really? How did she come by her gift? What happened to her family? The conclusion was satisfying.

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Merry Humbug Christmas by Sandra Bricker (Review)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Merry Humbug Christmas B&H Books (October 15, 2013) by Sandra D. Bricker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

The author says that it was her 8th novel that opened the door to finding her way as a writer. "I'm a Christian woman, first and foremost," she says. "So it was a bit of a dream-come-true when Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch the Love Finds You line."

Sandie's real-life role as cancer survivor has parlayed into her steadfast commitment to raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research. Spearheading a series of devotionals for Summerside Press (such as the popular His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is Not), the author has stipulated that a portion of each contributor's proceeds will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.


"Being allowed to combine my faith and my humor with raising funds for my pet projects ... and still pursue my writing dream," says Bricker, "well, that's the best of all worlds, as far as I'm concerned!"

And one of the author's pet projects is animal rescue, evidenced by the special bond she has created with one particular formerly-abandoned puppy -- a red-haired collie with "killer brown eyes and the heart of the class clown."

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Merry Humbug Christmas features two holiday romance novellas from hilarious and heartwarming author Sandra D. Bricker. -- the perfect gift to yourself or someone else at this most wonderfully stressful time of year.

In "Once Upon a Jingle Bell," A Bah! Humbug cruise to the Mexican Riviera is Joss Snow’s answer to this year’s quest to avoid the holidays completely; at least until she’s rebooked on a different kind of cruise altogether. Candy canes, holly wreaths, reindeer and ornaments seem to be stalking her on the 12 Days of Christmas holiday cruise extravaganza. An escape back to land is her only goal . . . until she meets a kindred spirit in rugged Irishman Patrick Brenneman, and then the game is on! Avoid Christmas festivities at all costs . . . except maybe for that one stop under the mistletoe.

In "It Came Upon a Midnight Deer," Reese’s guilt over abandoning best friend Joss on their holiday tradition of avoiding all things Christmas is trumped by the joy of her recent engagement. Meeting Damian’s family for the first time on idyllic Sugarloaf Mountain is about as far from that Bah! Humbug cruise as she can get, and Reese can hardly wait to get there. But from the moment they hit that deer in the road just two miles from the cabin, everything seems to go wrong. There are no drummers drumming or pipers piping this particular year! And once she sets her future in-laws’ family cabin ablaze, she’s pretty sure there won’t be even ONE golden ring in her future.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Merry Humbug Christmas, go HERE.

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading both of these Christmas novellas. They were both sweet and funny. The characters and plot were well developed and interesting. Highly Recommended.

A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman (Review)

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Abingdon Press (November 5, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-1426733871

Charlotte Rose Hill has been serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky but beloved customers for more than 10 years. But for her, marriage seems like an elusive butterfly, always out of reach. At 18, Charlotte fell in love with a young man, Sam Wilder, but his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. She did, and then became engaged to another man, who later died before they were married. Now, more than a decade later, Charlotte finds that she still has feelings for her first love. Initially thrilled to learn that Sam has come home to Middlebury, Texas, Charlotte is devastated to learn that he’s brought someone with him: his fiancée. But all is not lost when the townsfolk decide to get involved. Will Charlotte and Sam find their way back to each other?


My Review:

I enjoyed reading this cute Christian romance book. I liked the tea aspect since I am a hot tea drinker and lover of baked goods. I had a tea party for my 15th birthday. Charlotte and Sam were high school sweethearts. When Sam proposed Charlotte turns him down. He leaves town and she stays and creates a life for herself. Many years later he comes back with his fiancee. And the sparks fly again. This is a Christian fiction book and everything is clean and sweet. The plot and characters are well developed and interesting. Recommended.






Award-winning author, Anita Higman, has twenty-five books published (several coauthored) for adults and children, and she has been honored as a Barnes & Noble Author of the Month for Houston. Anita has a BA degree, combining communication, psychology, and art. Her favorite things include exotic teas, movies, and all things Jane Austen. To contact Anita or enter her monthly contest for a free signed book please visit her website at www.anitahigman.com. 

Review copy provided by Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.