Book Review: No Other Will Do

From the Back:

A Ladies of Harper Station Novel
She Trusts Him for the Job, 
But Can She Trust Him With Her Heart?Men are optional. That was the credo Emma Chandler's suffragette aunts taught her and why she established Harper's Station, a women's colony that offers a fresh start to females in need. But when a dangerous and shadowy assailant tries repeatedly to drive the women out, Emma is forced to admit they might need a man after all. One who can fight. And there is only one man she trusts enough to ask.

Malachi Shaw has finally earned the respect he's always craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma's telegram arrives, he rushes back to Texas to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she's not a girl any longer. She's a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn't deserve.

As the danger intensifies, Emma, Mal, and the ladies of Harper's Station must choose safety or whether to risk everything to fight for their future.

My Reflections:

As you may be aware if you follow my blog, I am a huge fan of Karen Witemeyer. Her books never disappoint, me her novels are always filled with quirky characters, engaging plots and daring drama. Her newest release "No Other Will Do" will certainly delight Witemeyer fans. 

Emma Chandler has been raised by two loving aunts who are suffragettes. The aunts help shape Emma's passion for helping women in need of love, protection, and self-reliance . 
During Emma's youth, they also take in a young boy named Malachi, a hurting and desperate youth who was fighting just to survive. 
Years later Emma is all grown up and managing a bank and a town filled with independent women seeking to better their life. When someone tries to threaten her town and terrorize the residents she calls on Malachi to come and help protect the women she feels responsible for.

Will Malachi be able to protect the town? Will he be able to keep his true feelings hidden from the only girl who holds his heart?  Will Emma figure out who is responsible for the recent attack on her little village of women? Why does being near her good friend Malachi once again feel so perfect?

An endearing story, a relaxing read. I'm not sure I would say this is my favourite read from this author but I did enjoy it never the less. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

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

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THE AUTHOR

1. Photo courtesy of Amanda Carpenter

   Karen Witemeyer

   Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance to give the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Texas, with her husband and three...

   Continue reading about Karen Witemeyer

Book Review: 21 Myths (even Good) Girls Believe About Sex

From the authour's blog:

​Are you a teen girl who is starting to date? Do you want to be in a serious relationship? Do you think you won’t be tempted to have sex, or do you think you know it all about guys and dating?

Are you a young woman who wants to save sex for marriage?  Who wants to protect your body but you don’t know how … or even why? Maybe you’ve made some choices you regret and are wondering if you too can start over.

or ….

Are you a woman facing a painful situation right now? Do you come from a broken past and need some hope for a new day?

My Review:

Written by a former model Jennifer Strickland addresses 21 Myths about sexuality in her newest book geared for young adults. 

In our culture we are steeped in sex, it is spoken, written and depicted in our environments daily sometimes hourly, from movies to magazines in the checkout, it is pretty hard to ignore the messages we absorb on such a frequent basis.
For this reason I am making it a priority in our family to openly discuss the topic of sex and our families stance on morality. 

This is by no means a guarantee that my kids will follow what we believe, our children will have to make their own way in the world, that my friends is where GRACE comes in!  

This book is definitely for teens, but reading it along with them may foster a deeper connection and results.

Jennifer Strickland offers her readers straight forward explanations to many questions teens may have, however I did feel the answers to be basic in nature, but a great starting place. There seemed to be numerous testimonies of the authors own experiences and advice which I enjoyed reading.

Lots of material is covered in 21 Myths, including Premarital sex, promiscuity, abortion, STD's,  love and more.
If you are looking to broach the subject of purity and sex with your young adult this may be a good tool to help you have an open and honest discussion, and grow into responsible adulthood.

I received this book free of charge from Babour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you so much Babour Publishing and Jennifer Strickland.

Then #21Myths is for you!

About the Author:

​Jennifer Strickland is a blessed wife and mother of three, author, speaker and founder of U R More, a ministry that teaches people their value, identity, and purpose in Christ. For fifteen years, Jennifer worked as a professional model, but the superficial world of modeling left her disillusioned and lost. While living in Europe, she found Christ, and left modeling in search of a more authentic life. Since then, she has become a dynamic conference speaker and has written several books and Bible studies, helping women of all ages find their true value. Learn more about Jennifer atwww.urmore.org.

Book Review: An Elegant Facade

From The Back:

Praise for Kristi Ann Hunter's A Noble Masquerade
"Debut author Hunter pens a fantastic Regency romance."--RT Book Reviews "If you're looking for an engaging Regency romance to sweep you away for a few hours, this is the book for you!"-- USAToday.com's Happy Ever After blog 

"This is a lively and entertaining romp through Regency London--and is great fun."--Jane Austen's Regency World
Lady Georgina Hawthorne has always known she must marry well. After years of tirelessly planning every detail of her debut season, she is poised to be a smashing success and have her choice of eligible gentlemen.

With money and powerful business connections but no title, Colin McCrae is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere. He intends to marry someday, but when he does it will not be to a shallow woman like Lady Georgina, whose only concerns appear to be status and appearance.

But beneath her flawless exterior, Georgina's social aspirations stem from a shameful secret she is desperately trying to keep hidden--and that Colin is too close to discovering. Drawn to each other despite their mutual intent to avoid association, is the realization of their dreams worth the sacrifices they'll be forced to make?

My Reflections:

One would think this book to be simple and well slightly predictable, I am here to tell you it is not.
Lady Georgina is like a rose petal full of layers, her charterer is anything but predictable.
Yearning for socialite status she makes her outward appearance picture perfect however, underneath all that perfection she is holding a secret close, and is not willing to sacrifice anything less than perfection.
Georgina comes across as a spoiled socialite making you believe she is just looking for a title, but as you delve deeper into the book you realize her tender heart and the reasons behind her deception run so raw her own family is in the dark.

Colin McCrae is the hero of this story! Even though Colin tries his best not to enjoy or encourage the company of Georgina all his attempts fall short as he learns more about her and really sees her heart. Colin is an easy going, solid type worthy of my hero status.

 A powerful tale of God's design for our lives, and how the world's views are not what makes us who we are. God makes us all individuals with strengths and weaknesses alike. Often times our weaknesses are actually our greatest strengths!
Isn't God amazing!

If you are searching for a charmingly tender romance with a great sub story this may be the book for you. I would, however, suggest you start with "A Noble Masquerade" as these stories are interwoven and a good chunk of the story line may be lost on you. I don't feel An Elegant Facade makes a good stand alone, so go treat yourself and pop out to your local Christian bookstore.

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

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THE AUTHOR

1. Kristi Ann Hunter

   Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in computer science but always knew she wanted to write. Her debut novel, A Noble Masquerade, is a RITA double finalist. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her...

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Book Review: A Haven on Orchard Lane

From The Back:

An urgent escape . . . a wounded heart . . .
Will Charlotte find the solace she longs for at the cottage on Orchard Lane?
Famed actress Charlotte Ward stepped away from the Victorian London stage five years ago. Now in desperate circumstances, she tries to restart her career--only to experience a complete collapse. Against her better judgment, Charlotte's estranged daughter, Rosalind, comes to her mother's rescue and moves her to a quiet English coastal village where her mother can evade the gossip columnists, at least for a time.

Charlotte is grateful to re-establish even tenuous family ties with Rosalind. As one with regrets over her own romantic past, she's happy to see love blossom for her daughter. For Rosalind, however, it's time away from teaching, and now she must care for the mother who wasn't there for her. And what could possibly be more complicated than romance?

But there can be no permanent escape from the threats of recent months. As the privacy they seek is threatened, mother and daughter must make some difficult decisions--ones that jeopardize those they care about most.

Beloved Author Lawana Blackwell Returns With a Charming and Memorable Tale!

My Reflections:

First off I picked this book solely on the cover. I loved the welcoming feel this evoked in me. 
I have to say the inside of this book was just as lovely as the cover. I was immediately engulfed into the 1880's, English countryside. Oh one of my favorite places to escape to. 

I love when a novel exceeds your expectations like this one did for me.
A haven On Orchard Lane is a fabulous historical novel. The characters felt real to life and were certainly endearing. I would have to say love is the main thread to this tale. Love of God, a love between a mother and daughter, and a romantic interest, love heals....

Rosalind is a teacher who jumps out of her comfort zone to help out her mother, even though they share a very difficult history. Rosalind feels its best to relocate her mother, Charlotte Ward to a quaint little sea side village to escape some disgraceful situations. A fresh start for their relationship and for her mother. Can Rosalind forgive her mother and move on? Can Charlotte re-establish a mother daughter relationship, or has the damage over the years been just too much?

 A story about redemption, new beginnings and the power of grace. This story is not without a tad bit of romance, perfect in every way! Great writing, fabulous story lines make this a winning combination and a magnificent pick for your summer time book list!

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

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THE AUTHOR

1. © JCP Portraits

   Lawana Blackwell

   Lawana Blackwell has thirteen published novels to her credit, many of them set in the English countryside of the 19th century. She and her husband live in Frisco, Texas.

   Continue reading about Lawana Blackwell

Book Review: Beloved Mess

From the Back:

God doesn't expect you to have it all together.

Life is messy. Yet the pressure to appear to others as though you've got it all together is a powerful force. We strive to act morally, look good, and set a positive example. After all, as others may tell us, we're the only Jesus some people see--so we better make him look good. That's a heavy burden.

But the Christian life is not about being less of a mess. It's about admitting that we need to be saved from trying to clean ourselves up. In Beloved Mess, Kimm Crandall frees you to live with the assurance that God loves you right here, right now. He's not waiting for you to clean up your act before you're worthy to come to him. In fact, he wants you to stop trying to fix the mess and allow him to wash it away.

My Reflections:

"Beloved Mess" became available at the perfect time. This book has spoken to me on so many levels. Those deep dark places I struggle with, Crying out to God for healing. All my doubts are not my weak faith, but the process of growth and strengthening in Gods timing.

Perfection is such a myth, one I daily try to achieve..Is my house clean enough? Are my children getting the education and attention they need? Am I serving those around me with compassion and grace? Not likely, most days it's all I can do to get everyone where they need to go, get some food in their bellies and brush my teeth... My life is messy, very very messy. 

Crandall's book addresses issues like these and so many more if you have ever felt less than perfect this book is for you. Gods grace is for us all, lets not hide behind happy smiles and false words. The world needs to know that God is for us all, especially the downtrodden isn't that why he sent his son to die for our sins? 

This book is for you right now right here, what are you waiting for? God is waiting for you with open arms.

If you are looking for a book that speaks into that dark uncertain place you rarely talk about this may be just the book to expose those lies you are believing about yourself and your relationship with your creator.

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

THE AUTHOR

1. 

   Kimm Crandall

   Kimm Crandall is a mother of four and the author of Christ in the Chaos. The founder of Dropping Keys Ministries, she is a frequent blogger on popular Christian websites such as Key Life Network (keylife.org) and Logos's Faithlife Women. She has been a...

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Book Review: Sea Rose Lane

From the Back:

Two people starting over . . . in a town known for second chances

After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to Hope Harbor--only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed and breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he's constantly distracted by noise, chaos--and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect who's invaded the house with her motley crew. As for BJ, her client's son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn't high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces for to help Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

Come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms

My Reflections:

Sea Rose Lane is the second book in the Hope Harbor series, by Irene Hannon. 

I simply adore this little sea side town and it's quirky characters. Kind of reminded me of our own little town with such a variety of  people and colorful characters.

The personalities collide when Eric Nash and BJ first meet in a minor fender bender, although the tension is high there seems to be an undercurrent of attraction as well... Can these two communicate without their past talking, can they settle down enough to figure out if their paths may merge?

Sea Rose Lane is an engaging, sweet story that gently flows along. Perfect for a quietly paced summer time read. Each character has their story to tell which blends in perfectly with the main characters story lines and agendas. I enjoyed the tentative budding romance between Eric and BJ. Their respect for each other was nice to watch as it unfolded into something a little more. 

Though this is a slower paced novel for this author I feel it is perfect for a summer time read when you want to take a book to the beach and let your mind wander and relax. Great clean romance. I cannot wait to see what happens next with Luis his story is one that needs it's own novel..

Don't wait for the fall pop out and grab this book and chuck it in your beach bag, with this author you can't go wrong!

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

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THE AUTHOR

1. 

   © DeWeesePhotography.com

   Irene Hannon

   Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five novels, including That Certain Summer, One Perfect Spring, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with three coveted...

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Movie Review: Miracles From Heaven

About this Movie:

Miracles From Heaven is based on the story of the Beam family, Jennifer Garner plays Christy Beam, whose daughter Annabel (Kylie Rogers, Fathers, and Daughters) suffers from a rare digestive disorder, but finds herself miraculously cured after surviving a terrible accident.

My Reflections:

If you are looking for a movie with it all, look no further, Miracles from Heaven the movie for you! Available now on DVD. This drama is based on a real family and true events. This movie is sure to make you cry, so have the Kleenex ready before you push "play" 

Filled with drama I found this movie to be deeply touching. This show is geared towards christian families and contains good morals and true to live emotions and reactions to a deeply touching theme. I am pretty sure my un-churched friends may not appreciate the faith aspects this story contains, I however love these types of movies and quite enjoy sharing them with my teen aged children.

Patricia Riggen's film stars Jennifer Garner as Christy Beam and Queen Latifah as a Boston Waitress who befriends the family. Our wee little main character is Beam's second oldest daughter, Annabel (Kylie Rogets) She does a fabulous job of acting and is endearing to the point of painful! You seriously just want to scoop her up and make all her illness go away!

This movie made me weep and rally, I was fighting along side mama bear Christy as she sought help for her ailing daughter. Among financial strain and faith shaking consequences the audience is carried along as miracles unfold and faith is once again strengthened in the process of healing and refining. 
The characters were strong, well developed and extremely touching, Sony out did themselves with this well rounded motion picture! I'm so proud of big companies like Sony, taking the chance to go against the tide and produce solid family friendly faith filled movies. I can't wait to see what comes out next!

I would certainly recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a clean and moving drama. I would however caution parents to pre-screen this movie to assess the age appropriateness for their family, as it contains graphic medical procedures and intense trauma.

Movie access was granted to me by Graf-Martin Communications for the purposes of this review, my opinions are my own. Thank you Graf Martin Communications!