Book Review: Taken

From the Back:

An investigator who knows tragic loss firsthand,
and his new client, missing far too long...

Abducted at the age of sixteen and coerced into assisting the Jacoby crime family, Shannon Bliss has finally found a way out. She desperately wants to resume some semblance of normal life, but she also knows she has some unfinished business to attend to. She might have enough evidence to put her captors behind bars for a very long time.

When Shannon contacts private investigator Matthew Dane, a former cop, to help her navigate her reentry into society, he quickly discovers that gaining her freedom doesn't mean her troubles are over. If the Jacoby family learns she is still alive, they'll stop at nothing to silence her.

If justice is to be done, and if Shannon's life is ever to get on track again, Matthew will need to discover exactly what happened to her--even if it means stirring up a hornet's nest of secrets.

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My Reflections:

Once again Dee Henderson had penned a Phenomenal novel with her latest book Taken.
Her writing style has the quality and infinite attention to detail that we don't often see.
The plot is complex, character line up impressive and level of interest is kept thought the story. That is impressive as this is a hefty book at over 400 spellbinding pages. It was such an absolute pleasure to read this novel.

Shannon Bliss was abducted at the tender age of 16. having escaped her captors 11 years later she is ready to try to put her life back in order and move on.

Matthew Dane may just be Shannon's ticket, a former police officer and private investigator, who's own daughter was also kidnapped. Can this man help Shannon confront her past, and will there be more to their relationship?

Taken is written from Matthew's point of view which gives this book a very unique perspective and feel. Readers are given insight on what it would be like to escape from such a heinous situation and just how hard it is to transition back to normal life, after such traumatic crime.

I loved how this story unfolds Taken is very much a layered, slow unavailing of a deep and meaningful plot.  I am confident in saying that if you are looking for a novel that will exceed your hopes you will not be disappointed in Henderson, newest book, Taken.

I received this book free of Charge in return for my honest review from Graf -Martin Communications, Thank you Graf Martin!

The Author

1. 

   Dee Henderson

   Dee Henderson is the bestselling, award-winning author of nineteen previous novels, including the acclaimed O'Malley series, the Uncommon Heroes series, and the New York Times bestselling Full Disclosure. She is a lifelong resident of...
   

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Book Review: A Love Like Ours

From The Back:

Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion's reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

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My Reflections:

A love Like ours is the third book in the Porter Family series. It focuses on Jake Porter a conflicted character who battles with the effects of PTSD, and the resulting consequences of his attitude and choices.  My heart ached for this man and all he had been through, and I waited in earnest for him to turn his life over to God and find the peace he so yearned for.

Lyndie is a compassionate, bubbly young woman who I connected with right away. How can you not be drawn in to such a fun and loving character? She is fiercely protective of her adult sister who suffers from Cerebral Palsy. You get the sense right away that these two lead characters are a perfect match. Lyndie's sensitive compassionate loving side tempers the broody, serious, hard working and loyal Jake. The romantic tension is felt quite quickly once Jake lets down some of the walls protecting his jaded heart.

This novel is a heart tugging read. We experience along side these two complex characters the joys, trials and their anguish as they confront their issues and move toward a happy healthy future. 

All and all a good read if you are looking for a sweet contemporary drama this may be your next novel.

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin Communications. Thank you Graf-Martin!

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The Author

1. 

   Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography

   Becky Wade

   Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, took time off to raise her children, then felt God nudging her to pursue...
   

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Book Review: Until the Harvest

From The Back:

Take This Journey of Broken Souls Restored
and Tentative Hearts Brought Fully to Life
When family tragedy derails Henry Phillips's college studies, he's left unmoored and feeling abandoned. The only things that can tamp down his grief are the family farm, his fiddle, and an unexpected friendship with sweet but unusual preteen Mayfair Hoffman.

Unfortunately, Mayfair's older sister, Margaret, despite her spray of freckles and cute, turned-up nose, has a completely different effect. His grandmother's helper, she's always around, ready to push his buttons, and it seems at first that she doesn't care about his troubles.
 
Henry soon realizes, though, that Margaret's facing her own struggles. Mayfair's health and unique gift sit at the heart of those worries. Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as potential tragedy collides with growing hope in a warm story of family bonds and the surprising ways healing finds us all.

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My Reflections:

Until the Harvest, the sequel to A Miracle in a Dry Season, is another engaging read. Having had the opportunity to read both books I can say this could be a stand-alone novel, but to enjoy the continued character development reading in order is an added treat.

I so enjoyed revisiting the characters from Loudin Thomas’s earlier novels; Henry and Perla are fun and interesting each in their own unique ways.

Sarah Loudin Thomas has the gift of writing her novels ground you and bring you back to a time when life was just a little slower and times a little quieter. This novel gives the feeling of small town farm life, and the joys and trials that the “simple” life brings.

Henry the fiddle loving country boy wants to pursue his passion but is persuaded by his father to stay in school for the last year, rebellious and headstrong Henry yarns to follow his own path. When his father dies suddenly, Henry struggles with unwise choices and starts to deal in illegal substances. Thinking he is invincible he continues down this path until faced with consequences beyond his control. It is a beautiful progression to watch this character grow and come to the bottom of him self to realize that life is more than his own poor choices and self-indulgence and more about the life God has planned for him.

Margret Hoffman is determined to protect her sister Mayfair where she can; Mayfair is frail in health due to her diabetes. Working for Henry’s grandmother Emily, allows for Margret to bring her sister with her to work, thus keeping watch over her.

Mayfair a shy and loving girl is blessed with a special gift that helps may people she comes in contact with. Mayfair impacts the people in her life and helps them to realize the importance of family and love and that those two values aren’t just reserved for family.

Overall a satisfying read, loved the character development and the theme of God given gifts and how we can impact the people around us.

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin Communications, thank you Graf-Martin!

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About The Author

1. 

   © Kristen Delliveniri

   Sarah Loudin Thomas

   Sarah Loudin Thomas is a fundraiser for a children's ministry, who has also written for Mountain Homes Southern Style and Now & Then magazines, as well as The Asheville Citizen-Times. Her debut novel was Miracle in a Dry...
   
   

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Book Review: Together With You

 

 From the Back

Sometimes the most unexpected love can be exactly what a heart needs...
When a Lost Child warning blares over the mall's PA system, Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that the child suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's past suddenly confronts her. Never again will she become personally involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart.

Dr. Ryan Tremaine is trying to put his life back together. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan has put his faith in his Sink-or-Swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruit Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny.

Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?

Known for her realistic and engaging characters, Victoria Bylin delivers an emotion-packed story reminiscent of The Sound of Music, one that reminds us all to believe in the power of faith and love.

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My Reflections:

Together with you is a moving and sweet read. Though the story line moves slowly, it gives the reader the opportunity to savour the slow progression of relationships made and mistakes forgiven.

Dr. Ryan Tremaine feels as if there is no grace big enough to cover his transgressions, his daughter is living proof of his misconduct and Ryan will do anything to make it right for his broken family. Penny his daughter is often misunderstood, yet a sweet little sprite.

Diagnosed with FAS (Fatal Alcohol Syndrome) She faces a host of challenges, however the nurturing, love and support her father lavishes on her make a world of difference in her young life.

Carly Mason is also trying to forget a mistake she made in her professional career, will Carly and her father Ryan be the answer to helping Carly overcome her guilt. Will something else more sweet bloom from the two of them coming together to support Penny?

This novel boasts the thread of forgiving ones mistakes, trusting God to work out the details and moving onto a healthy productive future. It is true to life, and highlights the challenges and struggles one may face when dealing with a child with FAS, Although no one can truly understand what a parent faces when dealt with the unique challenges FAS presents, this book does a good job of bringing these issues to light.

Overall an interesting read, I quite enjoyed how the author was able to weave together an array of experiences and life moments and to create a well flowing storyline. I am a sucker for a happy ending and this one was not a disappointment.

Book provided free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf Martin Communications. Thank you Graf Martin!

About The Author

1. 

   © Scott Walz

   Victoria Bylin

   Victoria Bylin is a romance author acclaimed for her realistic and relatable characters. Her books have finaled in multiple contests, including the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and RT Magazine's Reviewers Choice Award. A native of California, Vicki and her husband...
   

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Book Review: Sex Matters

About

The Unedited Truth About Sex
· Is hooking up really wrong?
· What about living together if you fall in love?
· If the Bible bans sex before marriage . . . is everything else fair game?
· What about same-sex relationships? Since when does God deny any kind of true love?

Great questions . . . but who has the answers?

Our culture creates a lot of confusion about sex. Honestly, sometimes it's difficult to know who's telling the truth. On one hand, when we read our Bibles or go to church, we hear how God's design is to wait for sex and save that kind of intimacy for marriage. But on the other hand, when we go to school, turn on the TV, or listen to many of the songs on our favorite playlists . . . they say quite the opposite. Naturally, this makes many of us wonder. Who's right? Sex seems fun. How can something so natural be off-limits?

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My Reflections:

Sex Matters is a frank, biblically sound book that deals with how to effectively broach the subject of sex with our children.

Lets face it, "the talk" is uncomfortable for our teens, but they absolutely have question and we need to be comfortable enough to find honest straight forward answers for them. You remember being young and instead of asking those awkward questions to your parents, where did you go? Friends, books, internet? While questions could be answered, wouldn't it be wise to be the source of faith filled answers for your teens?

Jonathan Mckee has given parents a fabulous tool in his new book. Questions like, Why Wait?, Is Masturbation a sin? These questions are answered and so much more...

In a culture laden with sexual sin and misinformation it is refreshing and empowering to have books like these to help us raise our teens to be the best they can be.

This undiluted book is a powerful tool and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to not only read this book by Mckee but also his other book "More Than Just The Talk" (See review here: http://citygirlmovestothecountry-tanya.blogspot.ca/2015/03/book-review-more-than-just-talk.html ) Resources like these are invaluable in raising kids in today's world, I highly recommend this book and the above mentioned one to add to your collection of reference books. Youth workers, teachers, coaches and students, this book is for you!

Thank you Jonathan Mckee for writing books like these addressing tough questions, that need to be revealed!

I received this book free of charge from Graf-Martin Communications in return for my honest review. Thank you Graf- Martin!

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The Author

1. 

   Jonathan McKee

   Jonathan McKee is an expert on youth culture and the author of more a dozen books, including Sex Matters, Get Your Teenager Talking, and The Guy's Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket. He has twenty years of youth-ministry...
   

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Book Review: Buried Secrets

From the Back:

They both wanted quieter, safer lives.
But crime never sleeps . . .
and killers keep killing.
After years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant is ready for the kinder, gentler life of a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes department resources. Enter ex-Navy SEAL Mac McGregor, the detective sent by the county to assist on the case. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales--and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.

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My Reflections: 

Irene Hannon has done it again, a  spine tingling thriller that will keep you engaged and jittery until the bitter end.

This is Hannon's newest series "Men Of Valor,"  if you enjoy a romantic mystery and intense  action this will most likely be a favorite.
Though this is a great stand alone, this book definitely sets the stage for Hannon's upcoming novels. I am so eager to read the next book in the series!

The villain is cold and heartless, and will keep you on edge, don't read this on a dark stormy night. The protagonists are true to life characters and although faced with real danger and strife they hold fast to their values and face them in a human and true to life fashion.

Police Chief Lisa Grant and Detective Mac McGregor are tasked with solving the mystery of the newly discovered human remains. This grave seems to be tied to a cold file missing persons case, 25 years cold.... This skeleton is not talking, and the duo must dig deep to uncover the sinister truth.

Along the way they learn more about the mystery surrounding the case along with unearthing new found feeling for each other.

I received this book free of charge from Graf-Martin Communications in exchange for my honest review. Thank you Graf-Martin!

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 two coveted...
   

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Book Review: What a Girl Needs From Her Mom

About

Mystified by the situations girls face today?
There's a good reason, Mom. Our girls are growing up in a completely different world than we did. But whether your daughter is very young or a teenager, you can equip yourself with the wisdom and practical help she needs for the pressures and decisions ahead.

With keen insight and warm encouragement, Cheri Fuller shares how you can become a more welcome influence at every stage in your daughter's life. Drawing from her own experiences and the expertise of others, Cheri answers all the top questions, including:

"How can I help my girl avoid the dangers of social media and navigate the digital world?"
"How can I counter society's unhealthy messages about body image and sexuality?
"How can I help my daughter (and me!) deal with her emotional ups and downs?"
"What are the best ways to instill good values?"
"How can I help her grow a firm faith in God?"

Filled with trustworthy suggestions, this book will help you steer your daughter toward becoming a healthy, confident young woman.

Includes Reflection Questions for Personal or Group Use
Great for understanding granddaughters, too!

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My Reflections: 

A must read for any mother who wants to connect with her daughter in a meaningful and intentional manner. 

We all want to raise happy, healthy well adjusted young women. In today's environment we soon discover that the ideal is far from perfect. Times are changing more rapidly that even our tech savvy children can keep up with. Peer pressure and media are no longer a slow cooker our girls live in, but a pressure cooker. They are not able to be little girls for long, instead are thrust into a very adult world that they are poorly equipped to navigate.

Fuller's book What a Girl Needs from her Mom is an insightful and encouraging read. The topics are well thought out and informative. Some of the subjects covered are

- Mothering in a changing world,
-A mom who bonds and connects with her daughter,
-A mom who listens with her heart,
-A mom who is present and engaged,
-A mom who helps her daughter navigate the digital world,
-A mom who encourages and builds confidence,
-A mom who helps her daughter learn to manage emotions, and so on..

When I first read through these titles all that I felt was GUILT... I mean wow, I majorly fail at this parenting gig on an hourly basis! 

This book offers us, (ME) hope and encouragement along with Gods design for parenting our daughters. I especially loved the sections in the end of the chapter where it gave questions to discuss or journal about. This is a wonderful way to reflect and pray about your circumstances and effect real change in our relationships.

If you are looking to instill healthy values, grow a firm foundation and develop a strong relationship, then I would encourage you to read this book along with Fuller's other book titles What a son Need from his Mom my full review here: 

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin Communications. Thank you Graf-Martin!

THE AUTHOR

1. 

   Photograph courtesy of Carl Cramer

   Cheri Fuller

   Cheri Fuller is a gifted speaker and award-winning author of more than forty-five books, including What a Son Needs From His Momand the bestselling When Mothers Pray. A former Oklahoma Mother of the Year, Cheri has worked with kids of all ages...

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