Firefly Summer by Kathleen Y'Barbo

I was intrigued by this story when I read the synopsis on the back of the book. I'll admit that once I started reading the first chapter, I was head over heels for that little boy of Sessa's. I mean, who wouldn't love that rodeo-loving boy with the red hat?!  The Chambers were walking through a nightmare, but Sessa was trying her hardest to give her son what he needed. However, it wasn't enough. She loved Jesus, she did all the "right things" that we as Christian parents try to teach our kids, yet it didn't turn out the way she had hoped. Her prodigal son never returned back to her. Yet she still has a small piece of him that showed up on her doorstep. She has a choice of what she wants to invest her life in. Which is great, except she has several things she wants to invest in, including her job.

This isn't the only huge issue in Sessa's life right now, either. She has to come to terms with forgiveness and understanding. Dr. Brown's life was changed the same day that Sessa's son's was. His reputation has been tainted and starting over isn't easy. I couldn't help but like Dr. Brown. When I realized who he was and the connection, I didn't want to like him. But after hearing his story, I came to really like that man.

This book speaks to overcoming the past, forgiveness, and I really think, investing in lives. Sessa's life wasn't tied up in pretty bows. It was messy. It was just like all of our lives. Firefly Summer reminded me that my plan for my life and God's plan for my life may be completely different at some stages in my life. Will I surrender my will to His? Sessa had to do that and it was a battle, just as most of us experience.

I enjoyed the story, but would have loved to have seen the first 4 chapters not span such a wide time. I felt like I was jumping time for a bit. I appreciated the back story, but I wonder if it could have somehow been done differently. Doing it once wouldn't be so bad, but twice left me wondering how many more times I was going to be jumping through.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.

Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.

A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots (read about their real-life romance here!). Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A new cowboy romance from award-winning author Kathleen Y'Barbo.

Trey’s biggest challenge isn’t performing surgery…it’s restoring Sessa’s heart!

Artist Sessa Chambers may never recover from losing her prodigal son. Even as she grieves the tragic decisions that led to his death, and left her with a toddler to raise, she’s asked to work on her dream project—restoring carousel horses for the Smithsonian. But she can’t do it on her own…

Dr. Trey Brown can’t pick up a scalpel again. Yes, he acted in self-defense, but the events of that awful night haunt him. He was trained to save lives, not take them. When he goes to the young man’s widowed mother to apologize, she’s not at all what he expected. For one thing, she’s not as alone as he thought—not with the fearsome ladies of the Pies, Books, and Jesus Book Club in her corner. For another, she’s beautiful, and being in her presence is more jolting than any eight-second bronco ride from his former rodeo days. Before he knows it, she’s captured his heart as easily as they capture the fireflies gracing Sessa’s Texas ranch.

How can they overcome their past to embrace a future together?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Firefly Summer, go HERE.

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I received this book free from Hometown Romance and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.



For the Love by Jen Hatmaker

It has been such an incredibly long time since I've read a book that had me laughing one moment and shaking my head in agreement wanting to yell "Amen" the next. Oh how I can relate to her and the exercise pants. Seriously... there are no pants more comfortable than those. Amen to those leggings are not pants section.... at any age.

But on the more serious things, I may not agree with everything that she writes but I respect her for writing with fierce convictions and for pointing out how we need to fight for grace in a world of impossible standards.

My favorite section had to deal with small groups. I think it was because I've been struggling with this and I appreciated the freedom she gave me. At this season in my life, I don't have enough time in my day to do all of these organized things at church and still be able to reach out to my neighbors, have them over for dinner, or just go sit on their porch with them. I want to do that. I appreciated that she talks about how we don't always need more organized groups, because that's been my thought. I like the organic kind where I'm not forced into friendships where the people tend to treat it as a clique. I want authentic, transparent relationships, not competitive and judgmental ones. And I can so relate to her slipping out and not saying goodbye. I'm so glad that someone else would rather slip in and out too. I wondered if something was wrong with me, but hey, now I can simply ask WWJH do. She would exit like a quiet ninja and never look back!

I was challenged by this book, yet encouraged. I had my eyes opened to some things that I hadn't spent much time thinking about. I felt a freedom in some areas that I have been fighting for some time when it came to the local church and how we are adding more without considering what might need to lessen. This is a book I'm keeping on my shelf and reading and re-reading. Thank you for writing this book, Jen Hatmaker.

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

A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn by Shelley Shepard Gray

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, the Amish Brides of Pinecraft. I have come to love the town of Pinecraft and would love to visit it in person one day. I like the map at the front of the book that shows you where everything is located and give you a good visual of the town.

Emma and Jay both find themselves in a spot in life that they never dreamed of experiencing. Through common circumstances, they find that they have much they can talk about and many instances where they can relate to each other. Who would ever imagine that a pizza-loving hound would be the one playing matchmaker!

Shelley Shepard Gray does a wonderful job capturing the reader from the very beginning. I have not read a book by her that I have disliked. She has captured my full attention from the beginning and I find that I have a hard time putting down her books. I do like that her books aren't as many pages because then I can read it as a reward in between doing chores (don't judge me!). By the end of my chore time, I've completed the entire book as a reward for mopping and cleaning. So thank you, Shelley Shepard Gray for giving me something to look forward to and for testing my ability to "just say no" when all I really want to do is read one more chapter before picking up that mop! I'm so glad that there's one more book in this series. I just don't want to say goodbye yet! Oh and the pictures of Pinecraft bring this story to life. Such a wonderful idea to include those.

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

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About the Book

                       A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn (Avon Inspire, September 2015)
A wedding brings together two young widowed parents . . . and gives them a second chance at love.
Emma Keim was heartbroken when her husband, Sanford, passed away, leaving her to raise three young daughters alone. Though several years have passed, her relatives have made it no secret that they expect Emma to remain a widow, mourning Sanford indefinitely. But when she meets Jay Hilty—a handsome widower with three young sons of his own—Emma is delighted to have a new friend who understands her struggles. Still, she is dismayed that her family is so opposed to their friendship—and the idea of it ever becoming anything more. She honors her husband’s memory every day, but is she destined to be alone forever?
Emma’s gentleness with Jay’s boys stirs something in his heart that’s been quiet for far too long. But when his oldest son becomes engaged to a local woman, suddenly Jay, Emma, and their children are swept up in wedding preparations. Witnessing his son’s joy, Jay wonders if it’s time for him to move forward, too, and find happiness again.
Once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?
Learn more and purchase a copy.

Shelley Shepard Gray

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail. 

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

Taming the To-Do List by Glynnis Whitwer

First of all, I should thank Glynnis Whitwer for helping me to procrastinate for just a little longer on a few tasks I've dreaded doing. In fact, within the time frame of reading this book, I put off cleaning bathrooms, mopping, and I do believe there was a day I put off doing the dishes! My excuse was perfect: once I finish reading this book, I'll be better at marking those tasks off my to-do list. So from the bottom of my heart (and much to my husband's dismay), thank you!

In all seriousness, I had first looked forward to this book because I thought it would help me to become more efficient at the tasks that I juggle everyday. For example, I thought maybe there would be some divine idea that would shine a light on how to make my bathrooms shinier much faster or help me not to look at sweeping as such a chore to loathe. Or perhaps it would show me where that magic fairy was that could help me put up my clothes that have now sat in the laundry basket for um....3 weeks. This book did none of that.

However, it did tell my what the root of my problem is. It revealed to me why I look at my mess and just shut down instead of becoming motivated to do it all. It explains why I feel so much more progress when I write down every little step so that I can mark it off. It also told me why I figure that if I can't do my best then I shouldn't even start. I am a procrastinator. Of course, I knew I was in small ways, but I really didn't think it carried over to housework. I was wrong!

I really appreciated her tips of journaling out a huge master to-do list and then making it one-step tasks vs. multiple-step tasks. I'm the one with sticky notes dividing up my other sticky notes. This sounded like a glorious idea to me, and one that I'm already taking to heart.

The book does include some soul-searching and action steps. I found this helpful because I have a tendency to keep on breezing through the book and forgetting some of the ideas the book mentioned.

If you're a procrastinator or don't have a clue if you are or not, this book is for you! Seriously. Don't procrastinate in getting this book. It is a one-step decision to go to the store and get it or go online and add it to your cart.

Oh, and it has the cutest cover that makes every task-oriented person want to grab this book and devour it right away. I mean, who doesn't love a check list as a cover?!

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

Ties that Bind by Cindy Woodsmall

Every time I read a new release by Cindy Woodsmall,  I'm convinced it's the best book I've read of hers. That holds true with this book, too. I don't know that I could pick a favorite book of mine that she has written because I enjoy them all and they have a permanent space on my bookshelf!

From the front cover to the back, this book is well done. The cover of the book is beautiful, along with the fonts used for the title. I try not to judge a book by its cover, but I do.

Ties that Bind is the first book her latest series, The Amish of Summer Grove. Quill and Ariana have a past and honestly, based on the synopsis of the book, I was prepared to not like Quill. I was pretty convinced that I wouldn't like him. However, it's awfully hard not to like someone who wants to protect someone from something that they know will devastate them. The lengths he goes to and the compassion he shows has made me change my mind. I cannot imagine what Ariana must feel, though, with the new knowledge she has just learned about her life.

If you're looking for a book in a series that ties the story up and puts a bow on it, don't grab this book! It leaves some things unanswered, and leaves the reader waiting anxiously for the next release.

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

Intersect: Where your story and God's story converge-Small Group DVD

I had no trouble seeing how I would love to use this DVD as a small group study or even as conversation starters with people I meet daily. Although this DVD focuses on the UK, it is very applicable to life in the United States. I was hooked on the first story of the father discussing how life has changed from his expectations when his son was diagnosed with autism. I also could easily relate to the mom trying to balance life and work.

Part of the Awaken movement, this DVD is an excellent resource that will help to equip members of your church to live out their faith. The study is simple You watch the videos, which are actually short stories. There are 5 stories in the DVD. Inside the booklet in the case, there is a study guide for both facilitators and participants.

The great thing about this DVD is that it isn't necessarily geared just toward Christians in church. This is also for the unchurched, for those who are searching, or those who just like to have spiritual conversations. The topics that the study hits on are: expectations, rest, disappointment, trust, and control.

I did have my toes stepped on a little and had some great reminders in each of these sections. The control section and expectations, though, have stayed with me.

The video is beautifully done, with beautiful pictures of the U.K. It is not a video that is done halfway. You can tell they put their best into this resource for the church. I will definitely be holding on to this video and using it for a small group study. I can even see a group of teens using this study easily.

Read other reviews on this DVD at http://litfusegroup.com/author/peabodyrogers.

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About the Book

                       Intersect DVD (Awaken Movement, July 2015)
Follow the journey of five individuals as they tell authentic stories of circumstances that have forced them to examine how God might fit into their lives.
This five-week small group resource helps spark spiritual conversations. Starting spiritual conversations with those outside of the church is a worthy, yet often difficult and intimidating task. Intersect was designed to help overcome those barriers. It is an easy-to-use resource, perfect for sharing with co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family to enter into meaningful conversations.
Each film is accompanied by thought-provoking questions designed to encourage participants to examine the world in which they live and the life they are pursuing, always ending with a conversation on how Jesus intersects the current topic. Allow this powerful new film resource to engage those you are in relationship with and then propel them forward in their next step with Jesus.
Learn more and purchase a copy.

Rob Peabody and Cris Rogers

Rob Peabody is the cofounder and international director of Awaken, a nonprofit that exists to resource the church for action. Awaken creates resources that inspire, educate, and equip local churches to live as Kingdom-bringers in their communities. In 2011, Rob and his wife, Medea, along with their two boys left his position as a lead campus pastor at a megachurch in Texas to pioneer and lead a church seeking to engage unreached 20s and 30s in northeast London. He is the author of "Citizen: Your Role in the Alternative Kingdom." Cris Rogers is a writer, pastor, speaker, and church visionary. In 2010, he planted a church in the poorest area of London with a dream for it to be an explosion of joy within the tower block estate in which he works.

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I received this DVD resource free from Litfuse Publicity Group and Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion of this resource.

Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

I was hooked on this series ever since I read the first book a few months ago. I was really looking forward to reading this one and kept my eye out waiting for this one to be released. I loved all the characters in the previous book and just knew this whole serious would be a fun read. I'm so glad I wasn't disappointed... not like I even thought I might would be. With Debra Clopton, I've decided that's near impossible!

This book focuses on Bo who is in for the surprise of his life. He gets some unexpected news that shocks him and forever changes his life. Now he has to change his plan for his life and come to terms with a new "normal." His life is already busy by taking care of his Pops, and now he's adding a son. The last thing he thinks he possibly needs, or can handle, is a wife.

Abby is such a sweet girl and I truly liked her. Of course she'd have to be sweet in order to mesh with Bo and to win his cowboy heart! She teaches him a lot on the journey of fatherhood.

Debra Clopton does an excellent job with adding humor in just the right places. I love this Four of Hearts Ranch series. These cowboys are in for a life that they never expected! I'm anxiously awaiting book 3 in this series.

But don't take my word about this book. Go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/dclopton to see more reviews.

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About the Book

                       Counting on a Cowboy (Thomas Nelson, August 2015)
After losing everything she held dear, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy may just spur her to wonder if love might be worth the risk.
Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the cozy town of Wishing Springs, Texas. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby . . . if she’s brave enough to reach out and take it by the reins.
Bo Monahan isn’t interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become—or the women who might be looking at him like he’s their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn’t looking for serious romantic commitments. But when the infant son he never knew about shows up at his doorstep, his world is turned upside down.
This confirmed bachelor might not think he needs a wife, but he sure needs help. Even Abby can see that, and despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she can’t help but be drawn to this new father-son duo. As Abby throws herself into helping Bo navigate fatherhood, hope sparks between them, revealing that maybe, just maybe, they can navigate their dark pasts and emerge together into a future as bright as the Texas sun itself.
Learn more and purchase a copy.

Debra Clopton

Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra's goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words.

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