And it was Beautiful by Kara Tippetts

I first heard of Kara Tippetts at the same time that many of you probably heard about her. She wrote a letter to Brittany Maynard about dying well and not allowing doctors to determine your days. Kara lived with purpose, passion, and with eternity in mind. Heaven was in front of her but she still wrestled with letting go of this life... like all of us struggle with daily. Not only did she have her husband to think about, she wanted to be sure her 4 children knew that she passionately loved them. She knew one of her children would mostly know her only because her husband would tell her about Kara because most likely her littlest one wouldn't remember her very much. Kara lived well and died well.

As I was reading this book, I kept thinking I should be crying and so sad. After all, this book holds a letter to her readers upon her death. But by the time I got to the end, I didn't cry. I was still sad, but ultimately I saw how much her life glorified God and felt how at peace she was by the end that it was reflected in her writing.

This book is a collection of her blog posts. Since I never went back to read all of her first posts about this journey or how it started, I was thankful for this collection. I want  my life to be lived with eternity as my focus, just as Kara did.

Read more reviews on this book at http://litfusegroup.com/author/ktippetts.

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About the Book

And It Was Beautiful: Celebrating Life in the Midst of the Long Good-Bye (David C Cook, March 2016)
“I was here. I saw beauty. I embraced it.” —Kara Tippetts
How do you live out extravagant love in the everyday moments? How do you celebrate grace when your life turns out differently than the one you dreamed?
Kara Tippetts discovered how to find joy in the small moments of life. She learned how to hold tight to hope even while battling intense physical and emotional pain. And she lived out the truth that God can redeem any story.
In her final book, Kara offers gentle reflections on living and dying well. She invites us to cultivate soft hearts even when we face great disappointment. Her ideas for living are hard-won, wrestled with in the crucible of family, illness, and faith. And her constant reminder is that whether we are in the midst of dark days or mundane moments Jesus is always there, life is surprisingly beautiful, and God is forever good.
Learn more and purchase a copy.

Kara Tippetts

Kara Tippetts was the author of The Hardest Peace and the co-author of Just Show Up. She blogged faithfully at mundanefaithfulness.com. Since her death in March 2015, her husband, Jason, has been parenting their four children and leading the church the couple founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Pass It On by Jim Burns & Jeremy Lee

I was really excited to read this book after I heard Jeremy Lee speak on this a few years ago. I had never thought about the different experiences I could give my children that would help pass my faith on. I loved how this book leads to intentional parenting. It keeps Jesus at the center of the focus of parenting.

I also love the idea of doing rites of passage for my children throughout their different stages of life. I'm not certain I will do every year as they are growing up, but who knows! I've already started thinking about how I will do our first one. I know my children will absolutely love it and I pray it will be something that they will always look back on and remember.

This book will be one that I consult a lot through the years. I can even see this given to several of my friends at their baby showers. We tend to think our faith will be passed on without us even talking about it, but I love how this book reminds parents of the importance of being intentional with passing our faith no. We can't just assume that they know why we believe what we do or even what exactly we do believe. It offers parents a chance to be transparent with their child and to really have those heart-to-heart conversations. And who knows... maybe your child will pass their faith on with these special moments, as well.

Read more reviews on this book by going to http://litfusegroup.com/author/burnslee.

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Pass It On (David C. Cook, September 2015)
Parents often experience a “freak out” moment when they realize their children’s view of God will primarily come from what they learn at home.
Most parents spend more time helping their kids succeed at academics or athletics than infusing shared spiritual experiences into the rhythm of everyday family life.
While the idea of strategically passing down our faith can seem intimidating, the annual Rites of Passage Experiences contained in Pass It On make it easy for your family to celebrate milestones from kindergarten through high school graduation. Forever change the direction of your family’s spiritual legacy . . . starting now!
Learn more and purchase a copy.

 

Jim Burns and Jeremy Lee

Jim Burns is president of HomeWord and executive director of the HomeWord Center for Youth and Family at Azusa Pacific University. He has more than 1.5 million resources in print and a radio broadcast heard on 800 stations a day. Jim resides in Southern California with his wife Cathy and their three daughters. *** || *** Jeremy Lee is the founder of ParentMinistry.Net, a subscription-based service for children and youth ministry workers. He was on the writing team for the Simple Truth Bible from Group Publishing and the Ignite Study Bible from Thomas Nelson Publishers. Jeremy lives in Nashville with his wife and children.

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I received this book free from David C. Cook and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts and Jill Lynn Buteyn

I was privileged to be able to walk with my grandpa on his cancer journey. I learned so much about what it mean to have a couple of people "just show up" for me. Most of them were not local people, so they would send a text or call. My mom experienced people showing up for her physically, whether by bringing meals by as she cared for my grandpa, or meeting her for lunch, or bringing her coffee. It was those small things that meant so much to our family. We so desperately wanted someone to acknowledge how crappy cancer is. I currently am thankful to walk with a close friend on her cancer journey with her son who has cancer. Because I saw how people showed up for me, I am able to show up for her. It was a trial not wasted. Not one I ever wanted to go on, but one that helped open my eyes to the long journey of cancer and how so many people forget to include you or call or even to bring up the subject.

This book should be in any church that has a care groups or has anyone wanting to know how to walk through suffering with someone. You're heart will hurt, you will be left wordless so many times, and you will cry so many tears on behalf of someone else. However, you will be blessed by the journey and by the relationships formed.

Just Show Up is full of a beautiful story of a community of women reaching out even in the suffering. It wasn't always beautiful and lots of grace was needed for the times when things were said that could cause hurt feelings, but it was a community that could come together to help meet most needs for Kara before and after her death. One friend was able to help her plan her funeral so her husband and family didn't have to do that. Another friend took care of the kids and another stocked her freezer full of food.

I could relate to so much in this book that I kept telling my friend that she just had to read this book! There were times with my grandpa when my heart was so broken that all I could do when praying was to say "Lord, Lord." I didn't even know how to finish my prayer or what to ask for. I was so thankful to see that Jill did too! And after getting so much devastating news from Kara, I can relate to the sleepless nights and lots of tears. I feel like I text my friend so much with "I have no words. Praying,." It feels so small, but I know it's all I have.

I can not possibly say too many wonderful words about this book. I love the little perspective from Kara placed at the end of each section by Jill. How beautiful! She was a lady that I think so many people loved to be around and her loss has probably made a giant hole in the lives of so many people.

I highly recommend to everyone to read this book. It is a giant book of grace--extending grace to yourself and the one suffering. I also thanked how she talked about insecurity. I can definitely relate to that!

Read more reviews on this book by going to http://litfusegroup.com/author/TippettsButeyn.

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Just Show Up (David C Cook, October 2015)
Kara Tippetts’s story was not a story of disease, although she lost her battle with terminal cancer.
It was not a story of saying goodbye, although she was intentional in her time with her husband and four children. Kara’s story was one of seeing God in the hard and in the good. It was one of finding grace in the everyday. And it was one of knowing “God with us” through fierce and beautiful friendship.
In Just Show Up, Kara and her close friend, Jill Lynn Buteyn, write about what friendship looks like in the midst of changing life seasons, loads of laundry, and even cancer. Whether you are eager to be present to someone going through a difficult time or simply want inspiration for pursuing friends in a new way, this eloquent and practical book explores the gift of silence, the art of receiving, and what it means to just show up.
Learn more and purchase a copy.

Jill Lynn Buteyn and Kara Tippetts

The late Kara Tippetts was the author of "The Hardest Peace" and blogged faithfully at mundanefaithfulness.com. Cancer was only a part of Kara’s story. Her real fight was to truly live while facing a crushing reality. Since her death in March 2015, her husband, Jason, is parenting their four children and leading the church they founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado. ***||*** Jill Lynn Buteyn is the author of "Falling for Texas," an inspirational novel, and a recipient of the ACFW Genesis Award for her fiction work. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.

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I received this book free from David C. Cook Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

7 Family Ministry Essentials by Michelle Anthony and Megan Marshman

I'm not in the ministry but I am heavily involved with the children's ministry in our church. I like to read different books like this one just so I can learn more about helping to reach our children with the gospel.

The book focuses on 7 points:

• Empowering families to take spiritual leadership in the home
• Forming lifetime faith that transcends childhood beliefs
• Teaching Scripture as the ultimate authority of truth
• Understanding the role of the Holy Spirit to teach and transform
• Engaging every generation in the gospel of God's redemptive story
• Making God central in every biblical narrative and daily living
• Participating in community with like-minded ministry leaders

When I look at what should be integral in a children's ministry or a student ministry, I land on these same points. The thing that I loved the most is that it goes back to families. For so many years, it's been about taking the children away with activities. Now it's more about doing ministry as a family.

I found that this book is very applicable to parents, as well. It offers very helpful tips on being intentional in the home. I would recommend this book to even moms and dads.

Read more reviews at http://litfusegroup.com/author/anthonymarshman.

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7 Family Ministry Essentials

Author: Michelle Anthony and Megan Marshman

7 Family Ministry Essentials: A Strategy for Culture Change in Children’s and Student Ministries (David C. Cook, June 2015)
With decades of ministry experience, Michelle Anthony and Megan Marshman capture the guiding essentials of life-changing family ministry.
These seven essentials for children and student leaders emphasize:
1. Empowering families to take spiritual leadership in the home
2. Forming lifetime faith that transcends childhood beliefs
3. Teaching Scripture as the ultimate authority of truth
4. Understanding the role of the Holy Spirit to teach and transform
5. Engaging every generation in the gospel of God’s redemptive story
6. Making God central in every biblical narrative and daily living
7. Participating in community with like-minded ministry leaders
7 Family Ministry Essentials will energize and equip you with the practical steps, inspirational stories, and biblical foundation you need as you lead those in your ministry.
Learn more and purchase a copy.

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I received this book free from David C. Cook and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

London Tides by Carla Laureano

As I reflected back on this book and the title of the book, the phrase "when the tide changes" kept coming to mind. Grace made a choice earlier in life and followed down a path that she thought she wanted. But "then the tide changed." Life happened and some unfortunate events occurred. A new possibility has made her want to change paths again. The tide has changed in her life, but has it changed in the life of one person she's hurt?

Grace is no stranger to conflict or to pain. In fact, you might say her career has been built around that. I thought a lot about grace long after I closed this book. I'm not certain why I liked her so much other than there was something about her that was so easy to relate to.

This novel is the second one in the MacDonald Family Series. I did not read the first one in the series, but now I definitely want to and plan to do so. Other than being slower at realizing the connections between people (simply because I didn't know the characters from the MacDonald family), I don't feel that I missed anything. The book could easily stand alone. However, I'm sure it built on the first novel and provided updates to those who had read the first one.

Carla Laureano has endeared herself to me because she is a writer of detail. It's not the boring, get-on-with-it detail. It's the just-the-right-amount-of-info detail that made this book enjoyable to read. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series and catching up with the first one.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I studied literature and criticism at Pepperdine University and earned a degree in English in 1997. Since then, I’ve worked in a number of different industries as a salesperson, marketing manager, copywriter, and small business consultant. In addition to my work for corporate clients, I wrote for publications produced by the World Health Organization.

I love the history, culture, and mythology of Ireland and Scotland, which form the settings for most of my work. I also enjoy incorporating my background in martial arts and fencing into the action elements of my stories.

I’m a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). I was selected as a finalist in ACFW’s 2012 Genesis contest in the speculative fiction category. My debut novel, a contemporary romance entitled Five Days in Skye, was released by David C Cook in June 2013 and went on to win RWA’s 2014 RITA Award for Inspirational Romance. My three book young adult fantasy series, SONG OF SEARE, is being released from NavPress in 2014 and 2015.

I live with my husband and two sons in Denver, Colorado.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Irish photojournalist Grace Brennan travels the world’s war zones documenting the helpless and forgotten. After the death of her friend and colleague, Grace is shaken.

She returns to London hoping to rekindle the spark with the only man she ever loved—Scottish businessman Ian MacDonald. But he gave up his championship rowing career and dreams of Olympic gold years ago for Grace ... only for her to choose career over him. Will life’s tides bring them back together ... or tear them apart for good this time?

If you would like to read the first chapter of London Tides, go HERE.

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I received this book free from David C. Cook Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Then Sings My Soul by Amy Sorrells

After reading a few pages in this book, I turned to the back of the book. I knew I had read a book by Amy Sorrells before because I recognized the writing style. Sure enough, she was the author who wrote How Sweet the Sound, as well. That was another book that I had fallen in love with.

I was immediately sucked into the story and found myself saying "okay... just one more chapter and then..." I wouldn't call this a happy book per se. It wasn't a depressing book, but it was full of Jewish history in Ukraine and those other countries at the time when persecution of the Jews was high.

I had a hard time reading the treatment of the Jews because some of the things done to them was absolutely horrible. It was beyond comprehension and absolutely sickening to know people have been and are still treated in ways like this.

Jakob has survived a lot in his time on earth. As he walks through dementia, he holds his life story very near his heart and doesn't want to share it with anyone. That doesn't stop his wife Catharine from trying to find out his story, though. When she doesn't find it out, his daughter Nel is left wondering if he will die with his secrets or if he will let her in to know her family history.

I finished this book and wanted there to be so much more. It ended perfectly...I just wasn't ready for the story to end yet! I am looking forward to the next book by Amy Sorrells. She is such a talented writer, in my opinion.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

An Indianapolis native and graduate of DePauw University, Amy lives with her husband, three boys and a gaggle of golden retrievers in central Indiana. After writing and editing for her college newspaper, she combined a nursing degree with journalism and creative writing, which led to publishing and editing a wide array of medical and nursing writing and multimedia projects over the past 21 years, a position as director of communications of her church’s children’s ministry, as well as a weekly column for a local newspaper which ran from 2009-2012. She has been a two-time semi-finalist for the ACFW Genesis awards, and was the winner of the 2011 Women of Faith writing contest.

When she’s not reading or writing, Amy loves spending time with her three sons; spicy lunches and art gallery walks with her husband; digging in her garden sans gloves; walking her dogs; up-cycling old furniture and junk; photography; and friends.


ABOUT THE BOOK

When Nel Stewart returns home due to the sudden death of her mother, she realizes her beloved father, Jakob, is struggling with dementia. With the reappearance of a high-school sweetheart, deliveries from Ukraine addressed to her, and the discovery of a mysterious, vintage aquamarine gemstone, Nel senses God is pulling her into the past to restore their faith and their futures. Told partially through Jakob's flashbacks of fleeing genocide-ridden eastern Europe at the turn of the twentieth century, the novel combines elements of mystery, history, faith and romance to reveal how God redeems the broken years ... and our future.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Then Sings My Soul, go HERE.

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I received this book free from David C. Cook and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Dreaming on Daisies by Miralee Ferrell

The cover of this book was absolutely beautiful! I was looking forward to reading it just because the cover indicated a beautiful story that would be fun to read. I hadn't heard of Miralee Ferrell and was a little concerned about starting on book 3 in a series. I am always hesitant to do that because I'm not certain if it's going to be a book where I really needed to read the ones before it in order to understand where this book picks up. Rest easy that this book is one that you an pick up and be okay starting in book 3. I'm sure the first two books added a lot of information that would have bee helpful, but I never felt lost with the characters or the plot.

If I had to sum up the characters in one word, I would say: real. Each character had good things and bad things. So many issues were brought up that had to be dealt with. For Leah, she had to grieve over her mom's death. Not only that, but her dad became a man that she didn't even know. In fact, to mention her father leads to so much emotion, frustration, and hurt.

Steven is that night in shining armor, I think! He had such a huge heart and much compassion. His life isn't void of real, hard situations either, though. I really enjoyed this sweet story involving both of them.

Now that I've taken this journey through Oregon, I might need to read the first two books since I enjoyed this one so much!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Miralee and her husband, Allen, live on 11 acres in Washington State. She loves to minister to women (as a certified Lay Counselor with the AACC) or through her writing, riding her horse, working in her flower beds and playing with her dogs—her 7 lb, long-haired Chihuahua, Lacey, spends a lot of time on her lap while Miralee is writing. Miralee speak at various women’s functions and has taught at writers’ conferences. She’s been writing since 2005, and her first book released in 2007. Since then, she’s had 10 more books release, both in women’s contemporary fiction and historical romance, and she’s had the honor of being a best-selling and award-winning author.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When her father's debts, brought on by heavy drinking, threaten Leah Carlson's family ranch, she fights to save it. When handsome banker Steven Harding must decline her loan request, he determines to do what he can to help. Just as he arrives to serve as a much-needed ranch hand, Leah's family secrets—and the pain of her past—come to a head. They could destroy everything she's fought for. And they could keep her from ever opening her heart again.

This is western historical romance that offers hope and healing to the deepest wounds in a woman's past.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Dreaming on Daisies, go HERE.
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I received this book free from David C. Cook Publishers and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Forever Amish by Kate Lloyd

I liked the twist in this final book in the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy.  The mystery is kept a secret for much of the book about Sally's family.  We know that she has a sick father, but we don't know anything about her mother or her Father's family.  However, we also get to know Lizzie and her family.  I will admit that the whole meeting between Sally and Lizzie is a bit odd.  I knew something was up, but I couldn't figure it out at first.  As the story grew, I started to have some suspicions as to what was up, but I liked how the story was withheld for so long.

I personally liked Armin.  He is a hard-working man who is easy to like.  I enjoyed all of the wild thoughts that Sally had about him and Rhoda.  Isn't it so easy to just jump to conclusions about people?!

Even though this is part of a series, you don't have to have read the first two to enjoy this one.  It easily can stand alone as a novel or as part of the series.

For more opinions on this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/klloyd.

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About the Book

                      

The latest book in the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy, Forever Amish introduces us to a young woman about to uncover a shocking secret and find an invitation to a new way of living. This is a story of forgiveness, legacies, and the ties that bind through generations.

It’s the Last Thing She Expects to Find

Sally Bingham needs some time away to sort through the changes in her life and to rethink her upcoming marriage. Despite her ailing father’s hesitations, she takes off for a bed and breakfast in Lancaster County for a weekend away. But her best-laid plans leave her in a near collision with a bishop’s buggy and in the home of a mysterious Amish woman named Lizzie. Lizzie introduces her to a different perspective on life, a charming farmhand named Armin— and opens a Pandora’s box that will forever change Sally’s life.

Purchase a copy and learn more at Kate’s website.

 

Kate Lloyd

Author Kate Lloyd is a passionate observer of human relationships. A native of Baltimore, Kate spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, PA, the inspiration for her novels. She is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest. Kate studied painting and sculpture in college. She's worked a variety of jobs, including car salesman and restaurateur.

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group and David C Cook Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Lip Reading by Harry Kraus

I really enjoy a good medical fiction book!  I'm not certain how I missed Harry Kraus, but now that I've discovered him, I'm going to be hunting down the rest of his books.  The cover threw me for a loop because I couldn't tell what kind of book it was.  After the first chapter, the lips on the cover make more sense.  I like the cover, but I think it has a little too much going on. It is a bit crowded, but that's just my opinion.  I do like the story, though.

Becca Jackson took a while to grow on me.  I didn't like her at first, to be honest.  I was glad she was kidnapped! The whole time I was reading, though, I kept wondering if this is how pharmaceutical companies really are.  I don't know much about them, but if it is, that's really sad.  I was glad when Becca came face to face with what her drugs did.

Noah seemed like a sweetheart and one that was easy to like.  His concern over Becca and how he laid his own feelings aside were impressive.

The ending was not what I expected to happen. It was a good ending, but not what I thought would happen.  There were lots of twists and turns in this book.  It's a page turner and enraptured me from beginning to end.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Harry:

I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife's urging: "Now doesn't seem the right time for this dream."

My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I'd written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn't until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the "rules" without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I'd have made faster progress if I'd have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.

I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you'll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.

ABOUT THE BOOK

She Could Save Millions, or Save Herself

She just needs a little longer. She’s really close. Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a medical researcher, stands on the verge of a breakthrough that will transform medicine. But she soon discovers the reason behind the miraculous progress in her research, and it leaves her with a nearly impossible choice . . . and little time to decide. More than her research is at stake. And more threatens it than this latest revelation. Something she’s tried hard to cover up. There is a high cost to some things in medicine and it’s not always the patient who pays. Can Rebecca find the faith and wisdom she needs to make the right call? The clock is ticking and the pressure is on.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Lip Reading, go HERE.

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I received this book free from CFBA and David C. Cook Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

How Sweet the Sound by Amy K. Sorrells

Abuse is not an easy thing to deal with at all.  There's never any sense in it and it's something hard to explain, difficult to hear, and probably harder to read.  My heart couldn't help but break for Annie.  I so desperately wanted her to be free from the bondage.  I wanted someone to value her and to treat her in the way she should have always been treated.... the way God intended us all to be treated. 

This book tell the story of Tamar, while using different characters.  I have always enjoyed the sort of Tamar.  I couldn't relate to her, but I loved her heart. She was not loved and that always broke my heart.  The part that I loved the most is how she wanted to be a part of God's family and God sees to it to mention her forever by her name and chooses to identify Himself with her.  So beautiful. The redemption and restoration in this story is beautiful.

Annie has seen things in her 13 years that she never should have seen or endured.  Even though the character is so young, it's not written with such a young audience in mind.  I didn't find it to read like a young adult book at all.  It wasn't hard to step back into 13, although I thought it might be.  Amy Sorrells does a great job at making sure the book grips the heart of the adults. In my opinion, she picked a wonderful story in the Bible to parallel a fiction book with.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

An Indianapolis native and graduate of DePauw University, Amy lives with her husband, three boys and a gaggle of golden retrievers in central Indiana. After writing and editing for her college newspaper, she combined a nursing degree with journalism and creative writing, which led to publishing and editing a wide array of medical and nursing writing and multimedia projects over the past 21 years, a position as director of communications of her church’s children’s ministry, as well as a weekly column for a local newspaper which ran from 2009-2012. She has been a two-time semi-finalist for the ACFW Genesis awards, and was the winner of the 2011 Women of Faith writing contest.

When she’s not reading or writing, Amy loves spending time with her three sons; spicy lunches and art gallery walks with her husband; digging in her garden sans gloves; walking her dogs; up-cycling old furniture and junk; photography; and friends.



ABOUT THE BOOK

From a distance, the Harlans appear to be the perfect Southern family. Wealth and local fame mask the drama and dysfunction swirling through their family line. But as the summer heats up, a flood tide of long hidden secrets surface.

Devastation from a rape followed by the murder of two family members brings three generations of the Harlans together on their pecan plantation in Bay Spring, Alabama. Chief among them is Anniston, who by the time she turned thirteen thought she’d seen it all. But as her heart awakens to the possibility of love, she begins to deal with her loneliness and grief.

This tender coming-of-age tale, inspired by the story of Tamar in 2 Samuel 13, shows how true healing and hope comes only from God. Though our earthly family can wound and disappoint, our heavenly Father brings freedom to those long held captive through His mercy and grace.

If you would like to read the first chapter of How Sweet the Sound, go HERE.
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I received this book free from CFBA and David C. Cook Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley

This book surprised me a lot.  I wasn't certain that I would like this book, but I like to keep an open mind and decided to give it a try.  I was wrapped up in this book from beginning to end.  I never felt like I knew exactly all of the twists that came in this book.  I really enjoyed the plot in this book.  Michael Landon Jr and Cindy Kelley did an excellent job writing this book, in my opinion.  It flowed together beautifully and I think the cover is even a great reflection of the theme of this book.  Even the title is beautiful, as you truly see traces of God's mercy throughout this book in the way that He allows Mercy to heal from her injuries--both physical and emotional.

Mercy has amnesia and can remember nothing about herself...and that includes even her name.  She decides to call herself Mercy.  Mercy is trying to figure out new things about herself everyday.  No one is able to help her out in remembering anything.  The only thing that she has that might can jog her memory at all is a medallion.  That alone doesn't do the job, though.  It's by God's grace that she meets someone who knows her and her past and can help her get the answers she is so desperately seeking to find out about herself.

Mercy was very likable from the beginning. I could hear her pain of trying to remember and I can't even begin to imagine what that would be like.  It would have to be so frustrating!  I liked the man who she encounters in a funny situation.  I know it is quite embarrassing, but I could relate as I tend to meet people in humiliating circumstances at times.  I think that added to the "real" aspect of this book.

This is the first book in The Medallion Triology.  I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

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This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Traces of Mercy David C. Cook (October 1, 2013) by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson.  

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Cindy Kelley is the co-author of the novel The Silent Gift, and Traces of Mercy. Her career as a screenwriter with long-time writing partner, Michael Landon, Jr., began with the adaptation of Margery Williams’ classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, which had a theatrical release. Several television movies followed, most notably Love Comes Softly, (based on Janette Oke’s novel) which won a CAMIE Award and the Epiphany Prize for Movie Guide’s most inspirational television movie of 2003. Cindy and her husband, Jim, make their home in the Southwest; have three adorable grandchildren and four big dogs who rule the house. 

ABOUT THE BOOK 

From Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, authors of The Silent Gift and creators of the hit television film Love Comes Softly, comes an exciting historical romance set in post-Civil War, and filled with suspense and faith-building values. 

At the war’s end, a young woman suffers an accident that leaves her unconscious and alone. Waking with amnesia, she takes the name Mercy and wants more than anything to find out the truth of her past. But then a handsome stranger arrives, who may hold the key to everything she has forgotten. What he knows could devastate her future, and even end her life. 

Written by two proven storytellers, Traces of Mercy is perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction, prairie-based tales, or just a good romance. 

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Traces of Mercy, go HERE. 

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I received this book free from CFBA and David C. Cook Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren

This is another book that I think has a stunning cover that must be commented on.  It is beautiful and sets the stage for the story inside.  I could hardly wait to read this book when I got it and made myself wait until I had finished a few other books first.

I am a big fan of Lisa T. Bergren's Grand Tour series.  I felt like I have traveled with the characters through Europe and have seen the many sights that they have seen.  I've been put back into 1913 and have thoroughly enjoyed it.  I have yet to be disappointed from a story told by Lisa T. Bergren. 

One of my favorite parts of this book is the historical notes section at the end.  I love reading not only how the story came to be, but about the struggles that Bergren had in writing this book.  I also liked the history she shared about certain places and people.  I like to read this part first so I can understand more of the story and then I re-read it at the end so I can understand more after I had encountered these things in the book.  It does have a group discussion page too, if you are doing a book group.

Each chapter tells the perspective of a certain character.  Cora is embarking on a trip that is THE trip of her life.  She has a lot on her plate, from choosing between two suitors, building relationships with her new found siblings, and then there's the wealth that she has accumulated recently.

William loves Cora and really wants to be with her but struggles to get past the issue of her money.  I really liked getting to know the perspectives of both William and Cora.  I think it added more depth to the story.

The book itself is 443 pages long, so it's a rather long story.  It's a story, though, that shouldn't be missed!  I like that I've read the other books in the series because I've anticipated this book, but it can also be read by itself.  It is a beautiful ending to this series, in my opinion.  It has suspense, threats, love, and life-altering decisions to be made.  This book truly has a little of something for every reader.

To read more reviews on this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/lbegren.

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About the book: Lisa T. Bergren's popular Grand Tour series concludes as Cora Kensington journeys farther into Italy, wrestles with a terrible ultimatum from her father, and comes to terms with the Father who will never fail her.

America's newest heiress must decide if her potential fortune is rationale enough to give up her freedom and all that God is leading her toward. And when her newly-discovered siblings are threatened with ruin, her quandary deepens. Then as Cora nears Rome, more journalists are tracking the news story of the decade---"Copper Cora," the rags-to-riches girl---and want to know more about her family and the men vying for her attention. Meanwhile, a charming Italian countess decides that if Cora isn't going to claim Will's heart, she might just 

try . . .

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pvxTP

About the author: Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy. She lives in Colorado Springs.

Learn more about Lisa here: http://lisatawnbergren.com.

 

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group and David C. Cook Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Pennsylvania Patchwork

The cover of this book is probably one of the prettiest ones I've seen in a while.  I love how the picture is on the front, but it wraps around to the back with the pictures of the Amish farm and the sky.  When I got this book in the mail, I had a hard time restraining myself from reading it right away because it was so appealing to me.

Kate Lloyd has become a writer that I anticipate reading her books.  This book is the second book in the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy.  I like how it switches back and forth between Holly and Holly's mother, Esther.  It also goes into third person during some points.  I liked that in this book.  It was something that I hadn't read much of lately, so it was a nice change.  It set the book apart from many others with that simple change.

Holly loves Zach, but I'll be honest....I didn't at first.  Once I understood more about him, I grew to like him.  I was kind of glad that I didn't like him immediately because it kept me open to new possibilities for Holly.  I did like how the book ended and couldn't imagine it being any other way.

Beth and Esther had a little feud going for awhile, in which I took Esther's side, too.  I'm not for sure why, but Kate Lloyd did a great job helping the reader for an opinion of certain characters right away.  I think that's what she wanted, but if it wasn't, she still did a good job at it.

I liked the first book in this series and can't wait to read book 3!  I hope it comes out soon!  Go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/klloyd to read more reviews about this book. 

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I received this book free from David C. Cook Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of the book.Kat

Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren

Glamorous Illusions is the first book in the new series entitled Grand Tour Series.  I am anxiously awaiting the rest of the series after reading this book.  I absolutely love the cover of this book and I wanted to read it from the moment I opened it in the mail!  

Set in 1913, Cora Kensington discovers that her life isn't what she once thought it was.  She always thought she was a farmer's daughter.  However, she has learned from a series of events that she is really the daughter of a copper king.  Her biological father now wants to have Cora in his life.  Through a new twist of events, Cora is given the opportunity to get to know her siblings on a trip around Europe.  

I wouldn't necessarily call this an extremely pleasant trip at first.  Her siblings dislike her and scorn her, even though it wasn't her fault that her parents had her out of wedlock.  

While trying to accept this new life and new family, she has to learn on the one constant ....God.  She has to find her self-worth in Him and rely on Him to make sense of this for her.  She comes to realize things about herself that she never would have learned had she not walked through what some people might call, a mess.

I love how this book is written some in the first person and some in the third.  It always makes me feel like I know the character more personally because I'm inside their head.  I also get the "big picture" look to give me an overview look.  Can't wait to see what is revealed in the rest of the series!

To read more reviews about this book, visit http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13465876/glamorousillusions.

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.