Book Review: Fatal Frost

From the Back:

Following in her absentee father's footsteps in a law enforcement career, U.S. Marshal Mercy Brennan has just recovered from being shot in the line of duty. And, unbeknownst to her, her father's recent reappearance in her life has put her in the sights of St. Louis's most powerful gang. Her boss assigns Deputy U.S. Marshal Mark St. Laurent--Mercy's ex-boyfriend--to get her out of town until her safety can be guaranteed.

Unaware of the extent her boss and Mark have been keeping her in the dark, it isn't until a freak ice storm strands them at a remote location and out of contact with the district office that the full severity of their situation becomes clear. As the storm worsens, the forces of nature combine with a deadly enemy to put them in great danger. Can they survive long enough for help to arrive--if help is even coming at all?

My Reflections:

Nancy Mehl pens another fast and furious romantic suspense with her newest novel, Fatal Frost. Join Mercy Brennan, strong-willed and tenacious U.S. Deputy. Her mission is to fight against crime in St. Louis, where criminals are abundant, and gangs and drugs are winning the battle of good and evil.


Mercy tries to live on the fringes, she is a self-proclaimed loner, even in her closest relationships we see this bent towards extreme independence and self-preservation. Mercy always has an agenda and is super keen on keeping her life organized and streamlined, these skills along with her tough as nails attitude keep her going as she faces the worst criminals in the city of St. Louis.

We soon find that Mercy has some serious hurdles to overcome, mainly with her anger and resentment regarding her father, Nick. There are always two sides to every story, and this one is no exception. Nancy Mehl is so talented at penning her characters so that they are real to life and have a commanding presence in her novels. I felt very connected and was so disappointed when the story came to a close. 

Another characteristic I love about this author is her ability to keep her readers entertained and have descriptive statistics and scenarios throughout the novels. This makes the reader really feel immersed in another life and diverse professions. I will never be a U.S. Deputy but was able to experience the thrills, danger and high throttle adrenaline these professionals face on a daily basis. Makes my dull farm existence seem a little less dreary!

If you are looking for a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and entertained this Christmas season, I would highly recommend Fatal Frost. Although you may want to pick up another good book as well as this one will most likely be completed sooner than you anticipate.


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

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THE AUTHOR

1. 
   

   Nancy Mehl

   Nancy Mehl is the author of twenty-one books, including the Road to Kingdom and Finding Sanctuary series. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson. Visit www.nancymehl.com to learn more.

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Book Review: Overcoming Toxic Parenting

From The Back:

You can break the cycle of toxic parenting
Parenting is hard enough when you had good role models in your own parents. But what if your parents were absent, neglectful, or abusive? Are you doomed to repeat their mistakes with your own children? As a parenting expert and someone who experienced negative parenting firsthand, Rick Johnson answers that question with an emphatic "No!"

Anyone can be a good parent, even if they didn't have one. In this compassionate and practical book, Johnson shows you how to identify the ways in which your past experiences affect your own parenting choices. Then he walks you through the process of healing the emotional and spiritual wounds toxic parenting has left behind. Finally, he outlines healthy habits and practices to take the place of the negative ones that were modeled for you.

With Rick as your sympathetic guide, you can break the cycle of abuse, neglect, or absenteeism and create a positive family environment now and for the future.

My Reflections:

If you come from a less than stellar upbringing and want to do better for your family, I would highly recommend picking up this book by Rick Johnson.
Johnson is no stranger to relationship building he is the founder of Better Dads, and a well-known speaker on relational topics.
I found this to be an easy to read and understandable book, filled with knowledgeable facts and an actual workable plan. Sprinkled with humor, you can't go wrong picking up this book!
I find often times self-help books are good at telling you what is wrong and the reasons behind the fracture, but lack in the follow through. I think it is safe to say we all need a good scaffolding in order to make real and lasting change in our lives. 
Rick Johnson gives us this in his newest book, paired with healing and a framework for better parenting, this book is one of the better ones I have read on this subject.

This book covers matters like:

When Parents Fail
How Our Past Affects Our Own Parenting
Healing Our Wounds
Action Steps to Healing
Healing Our Emotions
New Parenting |Stratigeis
Good Kids, Bad Kids
Healthy Relationshi[ Practices
Thoughts for Women: Why You Matter
Thoughts For Men: Why You Matter
Conclusion: Better Parent, Better Families, Better World.

I really valued that the author had real life experience in the material he was writing about, it was helpful and validated his points. 
I love his quote "Your Past Does Not Dictate Your Future"
This has been a very encouraging and uplifting read, I came out of reading this parenting book, energized and ready to make some small baby steps into new territory. 
If you are looking at healing from your past, and changing the way you parent or are being proactive and reading this book before you even have children or a husband, I would highly recommend Johnson's book. This would also be beneficial to spouses of wounded partners, as it will help them understand the pain behind the actions.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

THE AUTHOR

1. 

   Rick Johnson

   Rick Johnson is a bestselling author of That's My Teenage Son, That's My Girl, 10 Things Great Dads Do, and Better Dads, Stronger Sons, as well as Becoming Your Spouse's Better Half and Overcoming Toxic Parenting. He...

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Book Review: Shadow of the Storm

From the Back:

In the darkness of the storm's shadow, only truth can light her way. 
Having escaped Egypt with the other Hebrews during the Exodus, Shira is now living in freedom at the foot of Mount Sinai. When the people rebel by worshipping a golden idol, the ensuing chaos gives Shira an unexpected opportunity to assist a midwife. When the experience awakens a new desire in her, she defies her mother's wish for her to continue in the family weaving trade and pursues her heart's calling as an apprentice midwife.

But when a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira finds herself in an impossible situation and bound to a man who betrayed her. As contention between the Hebrew tribes and the foreigners fans the flames of another dangerous rebellion, Shira comes face to face with the long-hidden pain of her past. Can she let go of all that has defined her to embrace who she truly is and believe in a hopeful future?

My Refections:

Connilyn Cossette does not disappoint with her second novel in her series Out From Egypt. Shadow of the Storm was such a joy to read. Multi-Layered plot lines and real to life themes make this novel stand out among the many that I have read. Due in part to the sheer depth and drama played out within the pages, you just cannot put it down. 

Shira continues to shine from within, her strength and determination despite her circumstances make this book really resonate with your soul. This character has braved slavery, lived through an attack that took her innocence and changed the very shape of her future. Through all this, she continues to have a yeilding and beautiful compassion for others. Her willingness to put others before herself and her own comfort, make her one special character. 
These traits would be shallow without the real to life struggle, though, and we see her humanness as she continues to struggle with the past and things she has no control over. Her calling to be a midwife rips off old wounds, but at the same time heals her and makes her realize her future. 

It was wonderful to be reunited with characters from book one (Counted with the Stars). Kiya, Eben and Jumo were such well-rounded additions to this story, and gleaning more details about their lives and pasts made this story just that much better.

I also enjoyed the kinship between Shira and Kiya, this brought depth to the story and was one of my highlights. The antagonist Dvora, made me so angry and at times I wanted to reach through the book and throttle her, but her perspective is key and I completely understood why she was such an important part of the story, besides that we always need a good antagonist, right?

Speaking of love-hate relationships I found that I was experiencing just that with Ayal, this hero was a complete jerk for so much of the novel. His actions caused such heartache for Shira. Can she overcome his heartless actions and move into the future? Will his word and actions of change be enough to soften her heart towards him?

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

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THE AUTHOR

1. 
   

   Connilyn Cossette

   

   When she is not homeschooling her two sweet kids (with a full pot of coffee at hand), Connilyn Cossette is scribbling notes on spare paper, mumbling about her imaginary friends, and reading obscure, out-of-print history books. There is nothing she likes better...

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Book Review: Wild Montana Skies

From the Back:

"Watching Kacey and Ben maneuver past hurts and fall back in love made for a perfect afternoon reading. Wild Montana Skies is a wonderful love story."--Dee Henderson, author of Taken

The last thing Search and Rescue helicopter pilot Kacey Fairing needs upon returning home to Mercy Falls, Montana, is to run into her mistakes. After a devastating crash during her recent military tour in Afghanistan, she is emotionally broken but ready to start putting her life back together. She just wants to reconnect with her teenage daughter and spend the summer working as the new lead pilot of PEAK Rescue in Glacier National Park.

But her mistakes aren't so easily forgotten. Because Ben King is also back in town.

Country music star Ben King abandoned his past when he moved to Nashville thirteen years ago to start his career. He hoped to heal his broken heart, caused by losing the woman he loved. But when his father is injured, Ben is called home to help manage PEAK Rescue during his recovery. He doesn't realize his father has ulterior motives until his old flame, Kacey, walks into his house and back into his heart.

Now, with Mercy Falls in a state of emergency due to flash floods, Kacey and Ben will have to work together to save lives. But when secrets are uncovered and old hurts rise to the surface, will they walk away again? Or can they find a different ending to their country love song?

My Reflections:

When I started this book I joked that I had a "date" with Susan May Warren. I knew from the start that I would be hooked, and would need a chunk of time to devote to this novel. I was correct in my assumption and enjoyed my little date until I flipped the very last page. Now I have a new series to love and to look forward to!

When I requested this novel I was unaware that there was sub-story, on the characters Sierra and Ian, I missed out on a whole other novella.  Although not needed for the story to flow well it would have been an nice addition to the plot had I read these books in order. 

To receive your copy of the free novella you can visit the link here: 

(This book was free at the time of publication)

free ebook

Wild Montana Skies will most definitely catch your attention with its cast of unforgettable characters coupled with a touching story of love and redemption. 

Ben and Kacey have a long and choppy past, misunderstandings and disappointment have broken not only their lives apart but has also affected the life of their daughter. Aspirations to better themselves have also fuelled that fire, but have made them who they turned out to be; successful in their own ways. This story packs so much into its pages, from exploring the depths of Gods love for us, to trust in each other, shame, forgiveness and then to love and redemption.

Just  heads up the ending is not the satisfying aah... I hoped for, but I am sure this will be remedied in the next book, just have to be transparent here...I'm a happy ever after kinda country girl.

So grab your cuppa Joe and settle in to the small town of Mercy Fall, Montana. The scenery of Glacier National Park, coupled with unforgettable characters and a hint of mystery will keep you entertained well past the bottom of your cup.  

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

THE AUTHOR

1. 
   

   Susan May Warren

   Susan May Warren is the ECPA and CBA bestselling author of over fifty novels, including Wild Montana Skies, with more than one million books sold. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT and numerous Readers'...

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Book Review: Waves Of Mercy

From The Back:

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 fiancé. 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 Reflections:

Lynn Austin is a master storyteller and her past and experiences shine through the pages of this novel, with her attention to detail and her character development she was able to pen a captivating dual storyline.

I usually don't care much for twin stories, I am a one story at a time kinda girl. Austin made it easy for me with her ability to make the plot flow smoothly, maybe that or else I was just primed by all the dual stories I have been reading as of late. I think this may be an author trend, so I better get my twin brain in gear!

1897 Miss Anna Nicholson has travelled to Hotel Ottawa on the shores of Lake Michigan to lick her wounds after a jilted love. William her former fiance has broken the engagement due to the fact that their religious beliefs don't line up. Being from the upper class, she is expected to attend a respectable church. The problem is that, she has found a place to call home where the faith is vibrant and the God they serve is very real and present. Anna must consider what her future holds, now that all her dreams and plans have been lost. While at the resort she meets an interesting seminary student, named Derk. He is an employee at the Hotel and consequently the neighbour of Geesje's. The two become acquainted an the past touches the face of the present, impacting everyone involved.

Geesjse  is one of the original immigrants to Holland, Michigan. Her family had to flee from religious persecution in the Netherlands in the 1840's. Geesjse's son, along with the Michigan Central Committee encourage her to write a memoir of her life. This story of heartbreak, love, loss and endurance are nestled into the present day of 1897 and weaved into Anna's story.

God is good and faithful and this story makes one reflect on the fact that a prayer no matter how long you have prayed it will get answered, one way or another.

If you are looking for a unique storyline, and a change of style I would definitely recommend Lynn Austin's Waves Of Mercy. Good plot, not overly predictable, and purposeful faith message. It is not the grab you from the first page kind of read but well worth your time none the less. Great book for those people who have read everything and are looking for something a little different.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

THE AUTHOR

1. 

   Lynn Austin

   Lynn Austin has sold more than one and a half million copies of her books worldwide. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full-time, she has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been...

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