Loves First Bloom - review

About the Author:

Delia Parr, pen name for Mary Lechleidner, is the author of 10 historical novels and the winner of several awards, including the Laurel Wreath Award for Historical Romance and the Aspen Gold Award for Best Inspirational Book. She is a full-time high school teacher who spends her summer vacations writing and kayaking. The mother of three grown children, she lives in Collingswood, New Jersey. Visit www.deliaparr.com for more information.

About the Book:

She must conceal her past, her identity. What hope can there be for love?

Life changes drastically for Ruth Livingstone the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her under an assumed name to a small village in New Jersey. There she dutifully awaits his acquittal, certain that her father, Reverend Livingstone, soon will be cleared of the outrageous accusations against him. 

When tragic events transpire, Ruth finds solace tending a garden along the banks of the Toms River—a place where she can find a measure of peace amid her growing heartache. It is also here that she meets Jake Spencer, a man who both frustrates and intrigues her. Fearful of the newspapermen intent on tracking her down and unsure of whom to trust, Ruth knows she must carefully maintain her identity as Widow Malloy. But as love begins to slowly bloom, can the tenuous affection growing between Ruth and Jake withstand the secrets that separate them?

My Review:

Loves First Bloom is a story full of twists and turns.  Ruth Livingstone finds herself with a new identity, a daughter, and a new home.  Trying to protect her dad, herself, and the baby, she lives her life as Widow Mallow, living with the Garners and hiding from the press.  Along comes Jake, the lies and deception escalate to an unbelievable level.  

Will her dad be found guilty of murder?  Will she be found out?  Will Jake expose her?  Will the two be able to forgive the lies and deception?  Will he ruin her life or convince her to love him?  You will have to read it to find out.

This book is full of romance and mystery so if you are interested in romance in the 1800’s, this is the book for you!!

Counting it all JOY!!

Monday - What Are You Reading??

Today I am joining Sheila with Book Journey.  She asks us to share what we read last week and what we will be reading this week!!  How fun!!

I just finished reading for review:

No Girls Allowed - a very good devotional for boys 9-12

I also read Take Four by Karen Kingsbury!!  

This week I am reading (also for review)

Delia Parr’s Loves First Bloom

What are you reading this week??

Counting it all JOY!!

No Girls Allowed - review

Author Bio

Jayce O'Neal is a speaker, actor, and writer living in the Los Angeles area. He and his wife moved there for the writing and acting opportunities and to be missionaries in the entertainment industry. He has, as he likes to say, "a PhD, two master's degrees, a B.A., and a small trophy for perfect attendance in Sunday school." He is a committed Christian who comes from a family of Christian workers. His parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles were all children's pastors. Jayce and his wife have continued this tradition and have been actively involved in ministering to jr. high and high school kids for many years.

Jayce has recently published a book with Strang Communications called 100 Answers to 100 Questions Every Graduate Should Know. He has also published a picture book titled Crazy Circus World.

About the Book:

No Girls Allowed Devotions for Boys is the companion devotion to the popular For Girls Only! Devotions (2009). The devotion books follow the same format: a story related to a scripture theme, a game/activity, a list of things to do, and quotes from people and the Bible that reinforce the theme. Each of the 60 devotions is 4 pages long (2 complete spreads) and includes original single-color art that will attract and engage boys ages 8-12. The illustrations are more like cartoons—each has a caption that relates to the theme. Some of the themes addressed include bullying, being a good winner, 

generosity, church participation, worship, and creation. The devotions use a wide range of examples. The author uses original stories, but he also uses things familiar to boys (G.I. Joe, Transformers, sports figures, superheroes, comics, video games, etc.) to illustrate his point.

My Review:

Considering I have 4 boys, two of which are at the perfect age for this devotional, I was excited to be able to review it.  I have to say, I wasn’t disappointed.  After reading the first chapter together, my boys were both apologizing to each other.  Not that they had done anything specific, it was just great food for thought and had them regretting not always being uplifting to each other.  The devotions continue in that direction, taking everyday situations and teaching you how to handle them in a Godly fashion.  Something we all need more of.  

All 60 chapters include a short story, word puzzle, ideas on things you can do to implement the current topic, things to remember - bible verses, and “do it” wisdom with applicable quotes.  

As a mom, I love any book that deepens my kids desire to be in the Word and challenges their walk!!  This book definitely does that.  I would recommend it to anyone with boys 9-12 or so.  There is also a girls devotional - “No Boys Allowed” available for girls.

Thank you Tyndale Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Counting it all Joy!!

The Thorn - review

About the Author:

Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country, is a former schoolteacher, an accomplished musician, and an award-winning author of more than eighty books for adults and children, many of which have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. Her novel The Brethren won a 2007 Christy Award for excellence in Christian fiction. Writing memorable stories set in Amish farmland brings Beverly continual joy and inspiration. Her own family heritage is Old Order Mennonite, but she has many dear friends among Amish communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information, visit www.beverlylewis.com

About the Book:

Lancaster County, with its rolling meadows and secret byways, may seem idyllic, but it is not without its thorns. The Rose Trilogy is the stirring saga of two Amish sisters, and the events and decisions that change their lives.

Spirited Rose Ann Kauffman has long enjoyed a close friendship with the bishop's rebellious foster son. Rose's older sister, Hen--who knows more than she should about falling for the wrong man--cautions her against him, but Rose is being courted by another, and so dismisses the warnings.

Hen Kauffman Orringer's impulsive marriage to an outsider divided her from the People, a decision she regrets now that she has a daughter of her own. As Hen struggles to reclaim aspects of Amish culture, her very modern husband pushes back, and the two soon come to an impasse. Can she find a way to reconcile her longing for the Old Ways with the life she has chosen?

My Review:

I was so excited when I was asked to review this book.  Beverly Lewis is one of my absolute favorite authors, so to be given the privilege of reviewing one of her books was an honor!!  I have become so fascinated with the Amish lifestyle from reading her books.  She definitely makes me long for a simpler life.  

With this book, she doesn’t disappoint.  It is well written and easy to read.  It focuses on an Amish family with typical daughters.  One, Hen, who longed for the English way of life and finds herself in marries to an “Englisher”, but after having a daughter she longs for the simpler way of life she was raised in.  The other daughter, Rose, wants nothing more than to be Amish.  She longs for an Amish marriage and to live her life out with all the traditional Amish ways she is accustom to.  In the midst of all this though, Rose finds herself in a serious relationship with the son of an upstanding Amish family, but also attracted to the Bishop’s foster son, Nick, her long-time best friend.  The only problem - Nick is attracted to the English way of life he was accustom to before being place with the bishop.  

As with all Beverly Lewis trilogies, she makes you feel like you know these people and leaves you longing for the rest of the story.  I highly recommend this book or any other Beverly Lewis book.  If you don’t already have an interest in the Amish way of life, you will.  

I would like to thank Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Happy Reading!!

Angel Song review

Sheila Walsh

A best-selling author with over 4 million books sold.  A featured speaker with Women of Faith, more than 3.5 million women have heard her speak.  She lives in Texas with her husband, Barry, and their son, Christian.

Kathryn Cushman

A graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy.  After practicing for several years, she left her career to spend more time at home with her daughters and has since pursued her dream of writing.  Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California

Book Description

When Annie Fletcher returns to Charleston to see her younger sister, Sarah, receive her master’s degree, she finds herself riding in the back of an ambulance, watching helplessly as Sarah fights for life. During the ride, Sarah appears to talk to someone who is not there, humming a melody Annie has never heard before.

Neighbor Ethan McKinney lends a shoulder when Sarah unexpectedly dies. And as a carpenter, Ethan volunteers to help Annie get the Fletcher family home into shape for selling. Ethan’s presence is distracting, but what troubles Annie is her neighbor Tammy’s 12-year-old son. Keith has Down Syndrome and the guile to believe he can see and hear angels.

God begins to reveal Himself to Annie – both in her newfound friends and through heart-rending and clearly supernatural events. Annie discovers faith in God, finally experiencing the comfort that His angels really do surround us.

My Review

I was so excited when I got the opportunity to review this book!!  I love Sheila Walsh and have read many of her spiritual growth books, so imagine my JOY when I saw this book.  I was not disappointed.  These authors did a great job.  

Everyone has lost a loved one and everyone has questioned why God has allowed such things to happen.  What really matters is what we, the survivors, do in those situations.  In this story Annie doesn’t trust God, or even believe in Him, due to so much pain in her past.  She doesn’t believe the song she is hearing could be coming from Angel’s.  She doesn’t want any relationships especially one with a sweet little boy with Downs Syndrome who claims to hear the Angels too.  She builds walls around herself for protection and doesn’t realize it is those walls that are ruining her life, hurting her way more than protecting her.

I loved this book.  I would recommend it to anyone who loves Christian Fiction, anyone who has lost loved ones, anyone who has ever felt pain and the need to build walls and protect themselves from people and relationships.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and the Booksneeze program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Counting it all Joy!!