To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander

I think I'm a bit partial to this series because I grew up in Middle Tennessee and frequented Nashville. Having known a little history about horses and the Belle Meade area, I was very excited to read this book. Not only that, but I have an Irish heritage so this book drew my interest from just those two aspects.

Maggie is a strong woman who isn't afraid of being a little different. Having had older brothers, she learned to shoot and ride horses with the best of them. She would do anything to help her dad and comfort him as he is aging and not well. Linden Farms is in trouble and is set to go to auction. When a man approaches her dad about his land, her dad brings up a stipulation in order for him to sell the land to this new man. It's a sweet deal for the man, if Maggie can agree to marry someone she hasn't met.

Cullen knows loss and has experienced two painful losses in his life. He's starting fresh in a new area, but didn't expect all of the hostility he received as an Irishman. He had heard about southern charm, but apparently that meant only certain people were met with southern hospitality.

Set in the 1860's, many issues are touched in this story. It was heartbreaking to read how much people discriminated against people from other countries and races. The fact that people came for a new life and ended up not being able to buy land was sad. I really enjoyed all of the history that Tamera Alexander put into this book about thoroughbred racing, and the history of women at this time.

This series is definitely one of my top favorites because it's close to my heart and hometown! I liked how she dealt with some tough issues during this time period and also showed how love can grow despite a marriage starting off in an arranged marriage.

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

 ________________

About the Book:

To Win Her Favor (Zondervan, May 2015)
A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who could help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing forever.
An Irishman far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He’s come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and begin farming, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he’d wagered, especially when Maggie Linden’s father makes him an offer he shouldn’t accept yet cannot possibly refuse.
Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance—and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder—Maggie’s father, aging, yet wily as ever, makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail—Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Tamera’s site.

Tamera Alexander

Tamera Alexander is a best-selling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Having lived in Colorado for seventeen years, she and her husband now make their home in Nashville Tennessee, along with their two adult children who live near by. And don’t forget Jack, their precious–and precocious–silky terrier.

 

________________

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

The Heart of the Amish by Suzanne Woods Fisher

I'm not entirely certain as to why I am so fascinated with the Amish, but I am. Of course, just like many others, I like the simplicity of things. They don't have an overabundance of toys or material things. I want to be that way. In other ways, I'm not certain that I would enjoy doing things that took double the time when certain appliances truly do make our lives more productive. However, one thing I admire about them is the way they forgive.

I'll never forget the school shooting within the Amish community. To read some of the responses of the Amish people was fascinating. I hope I would be that forgiving, but in all honesty, I think it'd take me years to get there if they hurt my child. These people know why forgiveness is so important, as well as peacemaking.

I think this book is perfect for absolutely anyone. Everyone struggles with holding grudges or causing conflict. Hello... gossip?! Definitely not a way for making peace. I was challenged in some ways in these two areas of my life. To see how readily they seek to make peace and not cause conflict is very impressive. It showed me many examples in my life where I need to be more aware of being the peacemaker.

I also liked how easy it is to relate to the stories within this book. It is very honestly written and you get to be taken along on the journey as many people share how they came to forgive others. Anyone who reads this book will be challenged in their ability to forgive and to be a peacemaker.

Suzanne Woods Fisher has been a long-time favorite author of mine when it comes to Amish fiction. I'm thrilled that she's now stepping into the world of nonfiction and sharing so many wonderful stories of the Amish lifestyle. I hope she continues to share the stories from the Amish.

____________

I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Every Bride Needs a Groom by Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson is one of my go-to authors when it comes to chick-lit. Her stories are light and full of humor. I always finish reading her books with a smile on my face because of her humor.

This book is the first in her new series, A Brides with Style. Since I have read most of her other series, I absolutely loved seeing familiar names popping up, like Bella, Gabi, and Jordan. It also mentioned Bella's family who host The Italian Kitchen show on TV. I like Janice Thompson starts new series, but still is able to tie in favorite characters into her new series. It makes her books connect in some small way.

I know Stan was a minor character in the story, but he was oddly one of my favorites. His little one-liners he used trying to convince Brady to get back into the pro game of basketball were funny. I know the ladies at the bridal shop dreaded to see him come in, but I loved it.

Being from a small town, I appreciated the small town feel she brought to the story. It was easy to relate to the how everyone knows you and the pace is a lot slower. Katie's predicament that brought her to the big city meant that many in her family stepped out to take a chance on love and mending relationships. The way Katie's brother's were worked into the story had me laughing just imagining the scene in my head.

I am definitely looking forward to reading book 2 in this series. These are the type of books that make excellent summer/beach books.

___________________

I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Blind Spots Sample

 

 

Blind Spots by Collin Hansen

When I saw this book was coming out, I was anxious to read it. To be honest, the cover, summary, and unique title of the book drew me in from the very beginning. Add to that the excellent marketing on social media, and I was looking forward to getting this book in my hands.

This is a short, yet extremely powerful book. I saw myself throughout the pages of this book. I realized, thanks to Collin Hansen's writing and teaching, that I am part of the problem with church. In fact, we all are, if we're honest. We're all gifted with compassion, courage, or commissioning. These are all excellent things to have, but they lead to their own set of blind spots. The blind spot for compassion leads to frustration that others aren't caring for the same group of people/issues as I am. Courage's blind spot can lead to pride and thinking that every thing that happens, whether in the church, your life, or political scene, is meant to argue until the other person comes around or until you are rejected. Commissioning has the blind spot of watering down the gospel because after all, the most important thing is they know and accept God. On the flip side, they have positives. Compassion moves us to action. Courage used wisely helps us pick and choose which issues we need to fight for and when to talk and when to stay quiet. Commission leads to church plants and the spread of the Gospel.

Needless to say, I had only ever seen the positives of all of these. I obviously was blinded by where my compassion might be a problem. This doesn't just cause a problem in my personal walk with Christ, but it causes a problem in the church. We tend to be with like-minded people. That's not how the church is to be. We should be challenged by those with the other gifts and learn to work together, being thankful for the gifts that others bring to the table.

This book would be an excellent book to use for small group study. It's only 118 pages with 5 chapters, but it's packed full of truth. Every person will be challenged by this book if you truly search your heart. Know your blind spot so you can fight against it. In the words of Collin Hansen, "let's see our differences as opportunity."

_____________

I received this book free from Crossway in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Side by Side by Jana Kelley

Side by Side is a book that I will not forget. The risk, the secrets, and the rules all lead to the tension in this book. There were some parts of this book that I was completely shocked by. I had no idea that certain things happened in Sudan, Africa.

I admired Mia being able to set aside her fears to move to Sudan for the gospel. I have talked with several of my missionary friends who are moms and they have shared with me the same feelings that Mia expressed in this book. I think that I would feel that same way when it came to taking care of my family.

It was hard to read what Halimah went through and what certain choices cost them. I know many in real-life are just like her and I am amazed. The relationships she had was interesting to read about.

I appreciated that Jana Kelley wrote this book from some of her real-life experiences while living in Sudan. Her knowledge adds so much to the story. It also helped that she put her own struggles in it through the character Mia. It gave the reader a wonderful perspective of what it would be like to forsake it all and move to a different country for the sake of the Gospel.

Days later after reading the final chapter of this book, I can not get the story out of my head. It is one that will be recommended over and over by me.

To read more reviews about this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/books/side-by-side.

__________________

About the Book

                       Side by Side (New Hope Publishers, April 2015)
In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia’s life collides with that of another young woman.
A young Christian American mother, Mia finds more than one dark secret on the streets of Khartoum. She finds Halimah, a young, upper-class Arab student with a bright future in her family’s business whose risky and secretive decision has put her life in danger. What happens when the path of a young mother intersects with that of a spunky Sudanese student? God transforms them both . . . forever.
Part of New Hope® Publishers’ contemporary missional fiction line, Side by Side opens the reader’s eyes to the life of Muslims in Sudan as well as some of the struggles that Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith as well as pray for the salvation of those who persecute.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Jana’s website.

Jana Kelley

Jana Kelley is a Texan who hardly ever lives in Texas. Raised in Southeast Asia, Jana developed a love for cross-cultural living early in life. Her love for writing came soon after. Jana returned to Texas to attend college. She and her husband married a month after she graduated and by their second anniversary, they were living in a remote African town. Together with her husband and three boys, Jana enjoys travel and overseas living. After thirteen years in Africa and the Middle East, Jana and her family moved to Southeast Asia where they currently live.

 

__________________

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

The Legacy by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

I always like it when two of my top authors join forces to write an unforgettable novel. I was sold on Gary Smalley's writing in fiction when he joined forces with Karen Kingsbury. Dan Walsh has been a favorite from his first book I've read by him a few years ago. The Restoration Series that Walsh and Smalley have written is a collection of unforgettable stories. They each deal with real life issues and tough issues. Some issues are marriage issues, all are relationship issues in one way or another, and all issues have lead to restoration within those relationships. However, they each did have a cost to pay for their choices.

Book 4 continues to follow the Anderson family. Jim Anderson is still restoring the problems that his children have faced because of his choices as a father in the previous years. However, since he has begun to change, he is seeking to reach out to each one in his family and restore those relationships. This book focuses on his son, Doug.

Doug has made decisions that many today make. He's living a double life and has to hit rock bottom in order for his life to turn around. It's painful for his family to watch, but he doesn't want to listen to anyone. Even his friendship with Christina has stalled.

I like this series for another reason: because I always learn something new about interacting with my children. In this book, I learned how treating your child like the prodigal son looks like. It's not easy and I can imagine my heart would be broken. However, I also saw how it can also give them room to be reached by God. It leads to a relationship where the child knows their parent loves them and is a safe place, even if they don't agree with the decisions.

I sincerely hope that there are more stories in this series. This has become like the Baxter series by Karen Kingsbury. I don't want to say goodbye to the Anderson family!

______________

I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.